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AS THE LIGHT FELL UPON THE INITIALS, MYRA, WITH A CRY OF 
AGONY, FELL BACKWARD IN A DEAD FAINT.— (P. 17.) 


THE SECRET SERVICE SERIES-NO. 28. 

Issned. Monthly. 

DEYOTED TO STORIES OF THE DETECTION OF CRIME. 

Subscription Price, $3 Per Year. FEBRUARY, 1890. 

Copyrighted , 1890, by Street <£ Smith. 

Entered at the Post Office, New York, as Second-Class Matter. 



BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


BY 


EDWIN S. DEANE. 



NEW YORK: 


STREET & SMITH, Publishers, 

31 IloKe .Street. 





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BOB YOUNGER’S FATE 


CHAPTER I. 

A woman’s suspicions. 

“ y The bank has been robbed, sir!” 

This was the alarming intelligence which came to 
the ears of Henry Ferry, President of the Fidelity 
Bank, Minneapolis, as he set foot on his own stoop 
after a six months’ sojourn abroad. 

His wife and daughter, who had been with him 
in Europe, also heard the startling intelligence, and 
Myra, the daughter, reeled against the railing, for 
the words had a peculiar significance to her. 

The cashier of the bank, as she well knew, was 
Theo Howard, a young man of twenty-three, in 
whom she felt an ardent interest. In fact, he was 
her accepted lover. 

“The bank robbed !” exclaimed Mr. Ferry; “when 
— how?” 

“Last week,” answered John, the footman. “But 
the worst is yet to be told.” 

“Great Heaven ! what do you mean?” 

“Murder has been committed. Theo Howard was 
murdered on the night of the robbery.” 


6 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


A shriek of agony came from the lips of Myra 
Ferry, and she fell into the arms of her father in a 
dead faint. 

******* 

Early the next morning the inspector of police 
was seated at his desk writing busily, when a 
knock was heard at his door. 

“A lady to see you, sir,” said the servant, who 
ushered in a closely veiled young woman. 

“Good-morning, miss,” said the inspector, politely, 
a little curious as to the identity of his visitor. 

“I have called to make inquiries concerning the 
robbery of the Fidelity Bank.” 

“Any information we may have regarding that 
unfortunate affair is at your disposal, except, of 
course, certain points that must be kept secret.” 

“All I wish,” replied the lady, in the sweetest of 
tones, yet with absolute decision of utterance, “is to 
have a few minutes’ conversation with the detec- 
tive who was detailed upon the case. Is such a 
thing allowable?” 

“Certainly. He is not engaged just now, and will 
doubtless be pleased to accommodate you.” 

“Newspaper descriptions are not always reliable, 
and as I wished to obtain the exact facts in the case, 
I thought it best to apply to you.” 

“You did right, I will now call Mr. Belton, the 
detective to whom you refer.” 

A few moments later the young lady found her- 
self seated in a private office with a remarkable 
looking man. 

The absence of a beard showed every lineament 
of his powerful countenance, and the stranger felt 
in a moment that he was a person who could be 
trusted. 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


7 


“I wish to make some inquiries of you concerning 
the bank trouble of last week.” 

“I am at your service, miss.” 

“I only desire the circumstances attending the 
robbery.” 

“Very well, miss. That information I can give 
you in very few words. The robbery was committed 
somewhere between the hours of ten and twelve. It 
is supposed that young Howard— he was the cash- 
ier, you understand — was engaged in finishing up 
some accounts, and was last seen by the janitor 
something after nine. At half -past ten two men 
pounced upon the janitor while in the basement, 
gagged and bound him, then went up-stairs. A 
few minutes later the unfortunate servant could 
hear sounds of a struggle going on above him with- 
out being able to give a word of warning to the out- 
side world as to the tragedy that was being acted in 
earnest within the four walls of the building. These 
sounds shortly ceased, and in a half hour he heard 
the retreating footsteps of the robbers.” 

‘Ts the janitor a man to be trusted?” interrupted 
the listener. 

“Such seems to be the general opinion of those 
who know him. His countenance is likewise an ex- 
cellent recommendation, being both honest and 
open. He could not have been an accomplice.” 

“Did no one else see Mr. — Mr. Howard on that 
evening?” in faltering tones. 

“Yes, several passers-by testified to seeing him 
before the safe and in various parts of the front 
room ; but the mystery of the robbery was increased 
when it was discovered the next morning that the 
cashier had disappeared, and notwithstanding the 
evident marks of a terrific struggle, the presence of 


8 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


blood, and the confusion of the furniture in the 
office, it was believed that Howard had been in col- 
lusion with the burglars.” 

The fair young visitor seemed much moved by 
this statement, but Belton apparently paid no at- 
tention to the fact. 

“That suspicion was dispelled, however, in the 
saddest possible manner, and the young man’s 
character cleared by the proof that he died while 
defending the bank from loss.” 

Although the visitor’s face was partially con- 
cealed by the veil, it could be easily seen that she 
was under the influence of a great grief. The de- 
tective courteously refrained from noticing any- 
thing unusual, and went on with his story. 

“Two days afterward the body of a man was dis- 
covered in the opening of a sewer not two squares 
from the Fidelity Bank.” 

“Did you see it?” eagerly. 

“I did.” 

“Was it — was it Mr. Howard’s body?” 

“It undoubtedly was.” 

“Did you know the young man?” 

“By sight only. The proof of identity did not rest 
with me. Persons who were intimate with the 
gentleman were well satisfied that it was he.” 

“And yet I understood that his body was in a mu- 
tilated condition when found.” 

“So it was, the face being almost unrecognizable, 
but it bore the same clothes Mr. Howard wore that 
evening, and more than that, it carried one of the 
most indubitable proofs that could exist.” 

“Please explain,” breathlessly. 

“There was a scar on the back of the head of 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


9 


such a peculiar shape that his friends at once recog- 
nized it.” 

“Then you are satisfied,” with a weary sigh, 
“that the proof was clear and undoubted?” 

“As far as human knowledge goes I would answer 
yes. Stranger things than these have happened, 
however, and another man may be occupying the 
grave intended for Theo Howard.” 

“Has any clew been found?” 

Belton smiled mysteriously. 

“I must now claim the privilege, miss, of refusing 
to answer your question, unless, of course, you can 
satisfy me as to the cause of your curiosity. It would 
not be politic in us to surrender any of our scerets 
to a stranger, and even if you were closely con- 
nected with the officials of the bank, we might find 
it inexpedient to give you the desired information.” 

The lady hesitated in agitation for a few mo- 
ments, but apparently coming to a sudden deter- 
mination, she threw aside her veil and stood re- 
vealed to the admiring gaze of the officer. 

“I am Myra Ferry, daughter of Mr. Ferry, the 
president of the bank. It may seem a hasty as well 
as an imprudent step for me to come here, especially 
since there are other means of obtaining the infor- 
mation I have sought from you, but something has 
impelled me to act thus, a feeling that I shall make 
a discovery that could not be made without my 
aid.” 

“I can see nothing improper in your visit, Miss 
Ferry, particularly if you can give us any clew that 
will be of advantage. Often the faintest hint serves 
us the best.” 

“You will realize my motive in visiting you when 


10 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


I tell you that I was engaged to marry Theo How- 
ard.” 

The detective nodded. 

“So I have been told.” 

“I wish, then, to satisfy myself that it was really 
his body that was found.” 

“Are you not satisfied?” 

“No.” 

Belton started. 

“What is the cause of your doubt?” 

“I have no tangible reason for doubting; it is 
merely a feeling, or perhaps a suspicion.” 

The detective looked disgusted. 

“Merely a whim, I should say. I was in hopes that 
you had some disclosure to make.” 

“Perhaps I have.” 

Belton gazed at her admiringly. 

“I see you are possessed of not a little acumen, 
but don’t you know the very fact of his being alive 
would throw suspicion upon him?” 

“Possibly, but his being alive is the important 
thing to me now. His innocence can be established 
afterward.” 

“Then you have no doubt of his innocence, should 
he be alive at this moment?” 

“Certainly not. Theo Howard was the soul of 
honor.” 

“I have found that he drank some.” 

“With his friends occasionally.” 

“Gambled, even.” 

Myra flushed. 

“I am sorry to acknowledge that he did what 
many in his set do.” 

“A dangerous pastime for any young man who 
has charge of other people’s money,” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


11 


“I know it, yet he was innocent, for all that.’’ 

“You mean to insinuate that he has been the vic- 
tim of foul play?” 

“Exactly.” 

“Now we are getting at the root of the matter, 
Miss Ferry. Have you any suspicion as to the guilty 
party?” 

“I have. Do you know Julian Stark?” 

The detective smiled. 

“He is the man, then?” 

“He is. Previous to my departure for Europe, six 
months ago, I warned Theo Howard to beware of 
him. I have a strong suspicion that he is the guilty 
man.” 

“Most people would laugh at such a charge.” 

“And you smile.” 

“I certainly do. The idea is absurd.” 

“Yet you are a detective.” 

Belton colored. 

“Of course one may be mistaken. You may be in 
a position to know something of Stark’s history and 
character. I am speaking only from hearsay when 
I assert that your suspicion is an absurd one. He is 
widely respected. How do you know he has done 
anything criminal?” 

“I don’t know, for direct proof is wanting, yet my 
woman’s instinct tells me he is guilty.” 

“Unfortunately, instinct doesn’t go far in a court 
of justice.” 

“I am aware of that, but it is a guide that often 
leads to conviction or acquittal.” 

“Enlighten me in regard to the matter.” 

“My woman’s wit tells me that he is an unprinci- 
pled man. He was Theo Howard’s most intimate 
friend. The former is a suspicion, the latter a fact. 


12 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


If the suspicion becomes a fact also, what would be 
your opinion?” 

Belton smiled admiringly again. 

“You have an ingenious way of coming to a con- 
clusion, though I can’t just yet see the connection 
between Stark’s wickedness and the robbery of the 
bank. Now, tell me whether you have any more 
than a mere presentiment that Howard still lives.” 

“I have a test.” 

“A test?” 

“Yes, and an infallible one.” 


CHAPTER II. 

ON THE VERGE OF A SOLUTION. 

Belton’s countenance lighted. 

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” 

“I had a reason.” 

“I shall soon begin to think you a most remark- 
able woman.” 

“I have no desire to be considered remarkable,” 
answered Myra, with simple dignity; “so I am will- 
ing to enlighten you at once. I have led you on to 
talk, so that I might take an inventory of your 
character and abilities.” 

“Are you satisfied?” 

Belton asked this in a somewhat piqued tone. 

“I am. I felt I could trust you when I first looked 
upon your countenance, and now I believe you can 
do for me more than any other man, and I shall at 
once intrust to you the work of ferreting out what I 
believe to be a horrible crime, committed by one 
who stands high in society.” 

Belton simply inclined his head. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


13 


“Whether Theo Howard be dead or alive, I be- 
lieve this man to be the criminal, and I feel certain 
you will prove him so. I spoke a moment ago of a 
test that would determine once for all whether or 
not there is a mystery connected with him who was 
my intended husband. One day he told me — in 
fact, he has mentioned it on various occasions — 
that in a spirit of fun he had had his initials tat- 
tooed on his left shoulder, so that, to use his own 
words, if he were lost it would be an easy matter 
for his friends to find him, little realizing how true 
and yet how sad a statement he was making,” the 
poor girl concluded in a fit of sobbing. 

“You mean to have this test applied?” 

“I cannot rest until I am satisfied one way or the 
other. Did no one speak of the initials?” 

“The matter was not mentioned.” 

“Then I . shall depend on you to help me investi- 
gate it. You must go with me to the cemetery to- 
night.” 

Belton looked at her curiously. 

“Oh, I am perfectly sane,” she replied quickly, 
interpreting his look. “I have no fear in undertak- 
ing the affair, with you as my protector, but it must 
be conducted secretly and to-night. Will you aid 
me?” 

“I shall, most heartily. Be ready at nine o’clock 
to make the journey, and you will find a cab in wait- 
ing for you at the corner. Enter it without hesita- 
tion, and trust to the future for your after guid- 
ance.” 

That evening Myra gave her parents a plausible 
excuse for retiring early, and just as the clock was 
striking the hour of nine, she quietly stepped from 
a side door, and walked quickly to the corner, 


14 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


where, as the detective had told her, she espied a 
cab apparently waiting for some one. 

As she arrived at the curbstone a man, heavily 
bearded, alighted from the seat occupied by the 
driver, and without a word opened the door of the 
cab. 

Myra entered fearlessly, for there was nothing of 
the coward about her, and besides she had trusted 
Belton implicitly. 

In passing the next corner a stranger stepped 
from the pavement, and swung himself up beside 
the driver. Till this time not a word had passed be- 
tween Myra and her companion, but as the girl no- 
ticed this sudden accession to the party without a 
sign of the presence of the detective she became 
somewhat alarmed. 

“Where is Mr. Belton ?” she finally inquired. 

“Having some particular business on hand, he 
sent me in his stead.” 

“He has something more important than this, 
then?” asked the poor girl, ready to cry with disap- 
pointment. 

“Well, he didn’t say so, but seeing that he isn’t 
here to-night, I should imagine that such was the 
case.” 

“I am sorry that Mr. Belton has so little regard 
for his word,” said Myra, in quiet but decided tones. 
“I shall be greatly obliged if you will stop the cab 
and let me out, sir.” 

“Couldn’t think of it, miss,” said the other, inso- 
lently. “Such good-looking damsels as you don’t 
escape so easily.” 

“If you refuse to allow me to alight, I shall call 
for help,” was the quiet reply, as she prepared to 
carry out her threat. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


15 


“In that case,” said her companion, rather has- 
tily, “I shall be obliged to show my hand,” and 
with a quick motion of that member, he tore the 
huge beard away, thereby revealng the features of 
Belton, the detective. 

Myra sank back into her seat with flushed cheeks. 

“I must now return a compliment you paid me, by 
saying that you are a most remarkable man,” she 
said, with mingled chagrin and admiration. 

“Not remarkable, simply expert. It’s a part of 
our business, Miss Ferry, to assume disguises that 
our best friends cannot penetrate, so you needn’t 
feel put out because you could not detect an almost 
perfect stranger. I really believe you’d make a 
first-class detective yourself.” 

“Do you know what was in my mind,” remarked 
the girl, with a smile, forgetful of her sad errand 
for the moment; “if I had not secured you to-day, I 
should have made an attempt to ferret out the mys- 
tery myself.” 

“The only imprudent thing I have heard you utter 
yet,” replied Belton, warmly. “A daintily nurtured 
woman like yourself, in fact, a woman of any kind 
or extraction, would fare but badly, at the best, in 
such a role. Better drop the whole affair than en- 
gage in it alone.” 

The rest of the drive was made in comparative si- 
lence, both busy with their thoughts, Myra meditat- 
ing upon the sad bereavement that had made this 
journey necessary, and Belton revolving the great 
possibilities that would arise in case the girl’s sus- 
picions should prove to be correct. 

At last the cab stopped, and the detective, after 
assisting Myra to alight, addressed a few words to 
the cabman, who immediately drove off. 


16 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


The man who had ridden beside the driver stood 
near, and when Belton offered his arm to Myra and 
started off, the stranger followed at such a distance 
as would give no indication that he formed one of 
the party. 

“Is this the cemetery ?” asked Myra, with a shud- 
der, as she glanced at the wall beside them. 

“Yes. We will soon reach a place free from ob- . 
servation, where we can make an entrance. In the 
meantime, keep up your courage, and fear noth- 
ing. ” 

A few minutes later they were all inside the in- 
closure unseen, as they thought, by any one. A 
short walk in the darkness brought them to a mound 
of fresh earth, and here they paused. 

“Courage !” whispered Belton, as Myra began to 
tremble and sob violently. “This terrible suspense 
will soon be over. Jones, let me have the shovel.” 

The silent stranger produced a pick and a shovel 
from the bundle he carried, and the pair at once fell 
to work, digging and shoveling rapidly, yet noise- 
lessly, while Myra stood by stifling her grief as best 
she could. 

Down deeper they went, every stroke they made 
jarring heavily upon her wrought-up nerves. 

At last the sudden, dull sound showed that they 
had reached the abode of the dead, and Myra gave 
utterance to a cry of pain as she realized she was on 
the verge of a solution to the mystery that had been 
harassing her since the return from Europe. 

“Heaven support me!” she murmured, in piti- 
able agony, turning her face to the sky. 

A few more shovelfuls, and the workmen, produc- 
ing ropes, soon had the coffin raised to the surface., 
of the ground, 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


17 


Expeditiously the cover was removed, and the 
dead body exposed in all its hideous ghastliness. 

Belton now beckoned the trembling girl to ap- 
proach, and as she stood beside the coffin, the rays 
of the dark lantern fell upon the face of the dead. 

Myra drew back in horror as she beheld the mu- 
tilated, unrecognizable countenance. 

“This is an awful ordeal,” murmured Belton, “but 
a very necessary one. Remember, it was your wish ; 
therefore be courageous.” 

By a deft movement the body was turned on its 
side. A quick flash of a knife, and the clothing 
about the left shoulder was cut away, leaving the 
bare flesh exposed. 

The detective turned aside the rays of his lantern 
for a moment. 

“Once more, Miss Ferry, I beseech you, calm 
yourself, and prepare for even a disappointment, 
should it occur.” 

“I will be calm,” said Myra, though trembling in 
every limb. 

“Good! Now, Jones, turn the body over a little 
more.” 

The next moment, as the light again fell upon the 
corpse, with a cry of agony that went to both men’s 
hearts, Myra fell backward in a dead faint. 

There in bold outlines stood the initials “T, H!” 


CHAPTER III. 

THE DETECTIVE RECEIVES A LETTER. 

“The young lady takes it hard,” remarked Jones, 
as Belton busied himself in resuscitating Myra. 
“Yes, it has been a hard blow on her. She got the 


18 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


idea into her head that the wrong man was in this 
grave, and it so grew upon her that she wouldn’t be- 
lieve in anything else. I might as well say that she 
almost impressed me with the same belief; anyhow, 
she influenced me sufficiently to make an investiga- 
tion, and I wouldn’t have been at all surprised had 
the affair turned out as she expected.” 

“She ought to be convinced by this time,” said 
Jones, dryly, with an utter disbelief in such stuff as 
instinct. In his hard knocks against the world he 
had found common sense the best guide for man or 
woman. 

“The proof was too strong for the poor girl,” re- 
plied Belton, in pitying tones. “We must not be so 
hard on her, for she has suffered too much already. 
Here, hold her head while I place this coat under it, 
then let her lie until she recovers consciousness. We 
must get the body out of her sight just as soon as 
possible.” 

As Belton began to readjust the corpse, he glanced 
carelessly again at the fatal initials, but something 
in their appearance caught his eye. 

“Hold a moment until I examine this tattooing, 
Jones,” he said, holding the light so that he could 
get the best view of it. 

“Doesn’t look like tattooing at all,” said Jones, 
who had also come closer. 

“You’re right, Bill; but I’ll go further, and say 
that it isn’t tattooing; nothing more or less than 
paint.” 

“Correct you are, partner,” said Bill. “Wasn’t 
it a lucky last look you give the corpus? Darned 
if I won’t believe in instinct hereafter, when such a 
condemned pretty girl says so.” 

“But we must not make any mistake/’ said Bel- 


BOB YOUNGEB’S FATE. 


19 


ton, hurriedly. “It would never do to raise hope in 
her breast again without we are absolutely certain 
that she was correct in her surmise.’ ’ 

“Well, didn’t she say the initials were tattooed?” 

“Yes.” 

“And these ain’t.” 

“It looks so, but we must make certain. Have 
you any turpentine about you?” 

“My luck exactly. Just one chance in a million, 
but I got that chance, and the turpentine, too. 
Bought it this afternoon for croup in the family, 
and, like the luny I am, left it in my pocket. Here 
it is.” 

Belton, with more trepidation than he would have 
been willing to confess, applied a few drops of the 
liquid to the supposed tattooing, and, as he ex- 
pected, a little rubbing dissolved the letters, leaving 
the clean flesh underneath. 

“By George!” cried Bill, with enthusiasm, “that 
girl is a brick, and nO mistake. Wouldn’t make a 
bad stagger at the detective business herself, would 
she?” 

“We must think of something else now. Every 
moment spent here increases our chances of detec- 
tion. Let us get through with this business and de- 
part.” 

Myra by this time gave signs of returning con- 
sciousness, and was shortly able to stand on her 
feet. 

“Oh, what shall I do?” she moaned, in grief. 
“Now that I know he is dead, how shall I pass the 
remainder of my life? I had so built upon his being 
alive that I know this terrible blow will kill me.” 

‘ 'Don’t be despondent, Miss Ferry. Things may 
turn out better than you imagine.” 


20 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“How can they when I know that poor Theo is 
dead,” said the girl, drearily. 

“But you don’t know that for a certainty.” 

“What do you mean?” she cried, seizing him by 
the arm in her sudden excitement. “Is this horri- 
ble scene I have just witnessed a dream?” 

“It is unfortunately no dream, Miss Ferry; but 
while you were unconscious we made a discovery.” 

“Oh, tell me what it is.” 

“I must first ask you a question.” 

“A dozen, but be quick.” 

“Are you satisfied that the initials were made by 
means of tattooing?” 

“Certainly. There is no doubt on that point. Theo 
described the operation so well that I remember all 
the circumstances distinctly.” 

“This tattooing, so-called, was done with paint.” 

“What! Am I dreaming?” cried Myra, wildly. 

“1ST o, you are as wide awake as you ever were in 
your life. Behold for yourself. I have removed one 
of the letters with turpentine ; now watch the other 
go.” 

Myra calmed herself sufficiently to observe the 
process, and at the end she knelt in thanks to Heaven 
for the discovery. 

“How,” she remarked, in quiet dignity, “now that 
we have solved one problem, and that the most im- 
portant before us, I feel strong enough for any trial. 
Any sacrifice you may call upon me to make will be 
met most willingly.” 

“We hope that your sacrifices will be few, indeed, 
Miss Ferry,” said Belton, gently; “but we shall be 
glad to enroll you as an ally, and feel certain that 
you can aid us materially. How, Jones, let us finish 
our work and be gone.” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


21 


A very few minutes sufficed to place the grave in 
the same order as that in which they found it, and 
when this was done Bill picked up his bundle pre- 
paratory to starting. 

At that moment the absolute stillness of the night 
was broken by the loud report of a pistol, and the 
lantern that the detective held was shattered into a 
hundred pieces. 

Myra, barely repressing a scream, clung to her 
companion, who was glad to find herself uninjured, 
while Bill dropped his bundle and gave chase to the 
miscreant whose footsteps could be heard in hasty 
retreat. 

A few minutes later he returned out of breath, 
and not a little chagrined. 

“That feller, whoever he is, must have long legs. 
He's a sprinter, anyhow, f6r he left me far enough 
behind, and I’m no slouch, either,” and the disap- 
pointed fellow went on grumbling in an undertone 
until they had once more reached the highway, 
where they were glad to find the cab in waiting for 
them. 

“It is evident,” said Belton, as they were again in 
motion, “that our journey as well as its object has 
been discovered by a foe who wished to do away 
with one or more of us. Now the question is, who is 
the man?” 

“The answer is plain to my mind,” said Myra, 
calmly. “Stark, and no other, is at the head of this 
gigantic conspiracy.” 

“You were so correct in one suspicion that I am 
now inclined to agree with you in this; conse- 
quently Stark will be shadowed from this time forth, 
and under the constant surveillance of a shrewd de- 
tective, he will be an exceedingly remarkable man 


22 


BOB YOUNGER’S BATE. 


if he fails to betray himself in the long run. To 
some it would seem the height of absurdity to sub- 
ject such a respectable man to espionage; it would 
have seemed so to me twenty-four hours ago, but it 
shall be done. Fo stone shall be left unturned to fer- 
ret out the mystery, made doubly mysterious by to- 
night’s discovery. And that brings to mind the 
question of Howard’s whereabouts. It will be our 
duty also to look after every possible clew that will 
give us any indication of his fate.” 

“I have no doubt that your surveillance of Stark 
will put you on the track of poor Theo.” 

“It certainly will should that person be the guilty 
party.” 

“Do you suppose I was recognized?” 

“It is possible, though you were so closely veiled 
that, unless you were shadowed from home, the 
chances are greatly in your favor. At all events, we 
must be careful. I will let you out some distance 
from your home, and you can reach the house in a 
roundabout way so as to throw off any suspicion. 
In the meantime, be exceedingly cautious in all 
your actions. Don’t leave the house except with ai\ 
escort, for if your enemies — I take it that Mr. How- 
ard’s enemies are your enemies — were to have their 
suspicions aroused concerning you, they would not 
hesitate to remove you from their path. Above all, 
I wish you to observe one thing.” 

“What is that?” 

“I am afraid you will find this the hardest of all 
to do, but I have such faith in your ability and good 
sense that I am sure you will be highly successful in 
the role I am about to assign you.” 

“You may be sure I will undertake it if you think 
it will help on with the good work.” 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


23 


“It will certainly prove the most profitable occu- 
pation you have ever undertaken. Now, listen : How 
have you been accustomed to treat Stark during his 
calls upon you?” 

“As a passing acquaintance merely.” 

“Have you ever shown your dislike to him?” 

“I have always tried to conceal it as much as pos- 
sible, but I never succeeded in being what I would 
call cordial toward him.” 

“Then, are you actress enough to maintain the 
same attitude toward him, making it a trifle warmer 
if anything, and allow him to make you his confi- 
dante if he is inclined to do so?” 

“I think I am,” Myra replied, with a smile. “I 
could do anything not dishonorable in such a cause.” 

“By not rejecting his advances, if he has any to 
make, you will probably discover if he has any mo- 
tive outside of the robbery and the disappearance of 
Theo Howard. In the meantime, I shall be in con- 
stant communication with you, so that immediate 
advantage can be taken of any misstep he may 
make.” 

Belton now stopped the coach, and assisted Myra 
to alight, keeping up a sharp lookout for a shadow, 
but as nothing suspicious was seen he bade her 
good-night, feeling assured that he had good 
grounds for supposing that the enemy had not as yet 
made much progress in divining his plans. 

“But,” thought he to himself as he made his way 
to the office of his superior, “how is it to he regard- 
ing this young man Howard? His disappearance is 
strange, to say the least ; but I didn’t dare to inti- 
mate such a thing, though whatever I might say to 
Miss Ferry in that respect would not shake her faith 
in him a particle, She isn’t one of that kind, who, 


24 


BOB' YOUNGER’S FATE. 


like weathercocks, are liable to change off in their 
opinions at the first little puff of evidence that may 
come flying around. She’ll believe in his guilt when 
she sees it with her own eyes ; hut I am one who 
hopes and believes that she will never see it. The 
man who wins the love of such a woman as Myra 
Ferry certainly must be made of sterling stuff. The 
fact that she has undergone so much, and is likely to 
endure many an untold trial for him yet, speaks 
loudly in his favor.” 

A few minutes later the detective was closeted 
with his chief, to whom the strange events of the 
evening were related. 

“By the way,” remarked the inspector in parting, 
“a letter was left here for you a short time ago, with 
orders to be delivered to you straightway upon your 
return. Here it is.” 

Belton leisurely tore open the envelope, but he be- 
came all attention when he saw the purport of the 
missive. 

“If detective Belton would know something con- 
cerning the Fidelity Bank robbery he will come to 
Sam’s place to-night at twelve o’clock. He must be 
alone, otherwise he will pursue a fruitless quest. 
The writer will give the information mentioned for 
a price, the details to be agreed upon to-night. The 
fear of being discovered by the criminals and pun- 
ished has led the writer to take this step instead of 
going directly to headquarters with what he knows. 
Should you decide to come, ask for room number 
three. Bob Younger.” 

“Hello!” remarked Belton, with a loud whistle. 
“Is this a bluff or not? That dare-devil is surely not 
in town. Oh, no ! it must be a stiff he is giving me, 
for he can’t imagine I’d go unprepared to meet such 
a desperado. At all events, the enemy are showing 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


25 


their hand mighty quick in the game. They evi- 
dently mean business, and as I am on the same tack, 
I suppose there will be fun before another sun. Well, 
here’s luck to you, Mr. Younger. I’ll see you later, 
and may the best man win.” 

CHAPTER IY. 

THE QUEEN. 

It now becomes necessary for us to go backward 
for a time in order to become acquainted with the 
events of the preceding six months. 

One evening Theo Howard was seated in his room 
after his day’s work was done, thinking with long- 
ing of the happy period when his beloved Myra 
should return. 

Theo was comparatively alone in the world, hav- 
ing no near relatives, having none of any kind so 
far as he knew. 

Time, therefore, hung heavily on his hands, and 
it was small wonder that he sought the company of 
such men as Julian Stark. 

Even as he sat and meditated, an authoritative 
knock was heard at the door, and in answer to his 
summons the visitor entered. 

Theo sprang to his feet with an eagerness that 
showed how much he detested loneliness. 

“Hello, Julian. I’m delighted to see you. Was 
•just beginning to have a dose of the blue devils 
when your knock came like a panacea as it is for 
all ills.” 

“I knew you would he lonesome this evening, so I 
concluded to drop around and amuse you.” 

A firm chin and lower jaw, a droop of the mouth, 


26 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


with the faintest suggestion, to the close observer, of 
refined cruelty in its handsome contour, an athletic 
and graceful form, pleasing features, dark hair, and 
eyes that varied in expression from moment to mo- 
ment; such was the appearance of Julian Stark, a 
man popular among women and his fellows, whom 
everybody knew and was delighted to know, yet 
knew not. 

“Are you acquainted with Julian Stark ?” 

“Certainly. Quite an honor, I assure you.” 

“What is his business?” 

“He's a lawyer, I believe.” 

“Successful?” 

“He certainly seems to be. How could he help it 
since he is so popular?” 

“Whence came he?” 

“Don’t know.” 

“What are his antecedents?” 

“Don’t know.” 

“What cases has he figured in?” 

“Don’t know.” 

“He seems to have plenty of money.” 

“Yes.” 

“Where does he obtain it?” 

“Don’t know; suppose from his practice.” 

Further than this no one seemed able to get, and 
thus Stark and Stark’s life formed a mystery with- 
out people knowing or caring that such was the 
case. 

“What’s on the programme to-night, Theo?” * 

“I intended to pass the evening here, and perhaps 
indite a letter after a while to Miss Ferry.” 

“But I guess you will find that moping about the 
house is somewhat too slow an amusement, now 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


27 


that you have found such excellent company, eh?” 
with a familiar slap on the shoulder, 

“All but the letter,” was the loyal reply. “If you 
wish me to join you, I must first be allowed to at- 
tend to my correspondence.” 

“All right; I’ll smoke in the meantime.” 

A half hour later Theo was ready. 

“Now, what shall we do?” he asked. 

“Opera first; afterward we shall spend the even- 
ing with a friend.” 

“Some one I know?” 

A shake of the head. 

“I don’t often allow persons to meet this reassured 
acquaintance of mine, but I’ll make an exception in 
your case.” 

When the opera was over Julian hailed a cab, 
and in it the two friends were driven up town. 

They finally alighted before a modest but home- 
like dwelling. A well dressed servant answered 
their knock and ushered them into a luxurious 
apartment. 

Ten minutes later a vision of loveliness entered 
the room. 

Theo was certain that he had never yet seen so 
beautiful a creature as this woman was. 

She was certainly not more than twenty-five years 
of age. Magnificently proportioned, elegantly yet 
tastefully dressed, this wonderfully handsome 
woman for the time drove all thoughts of Myra out 
of Theo’s head. 

He was overcome by her beauty. 

“Here is my friend,” said Stark, thoroughly en- 
joying Theo’s look of admiration. “Behold and 
adore. Miss Trainer, allow me the pleasure of pre- 


28 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


senting to you a young man whom I consider my 
most intimate friend, Mr. Howard. 

“Do you know what I call Miss Trainer?” he 
asked, a moment later. 

“I have no doubt,” said Theo, gallantly, “that it 
must be a most appropriate and happy appellation.” 

“You are right; I call her Queen; Queenie, for 
short,” was the complacent reply. 

“I am sure she deserves it if any woman ever 
did,” and just then the pure, lovely face of Myra 
floated between him and the rich beauty opposite. 

His frame shook for a moment with a presenti- 
ment of coming evil, and the thought that he should 
at once flee from all temptation possessed his soul ; 
but a look into that dark, fascinating countenance 
dispelled the warning. The face of his betrothed 
faded into darkness, and once more he had forgot- 
ten. 

“How complimentary gentlemen can be when 
they bend themselves to the task,” said the Queen, 
with a gay smile. 

“No task, I assure you,” declared Stark, lazily. 
“It’s a pleasure we owe to every lovely woman to 
tell her she is lovely. How else is she to know the 
truth?” 

“No mirrors, I suppose?” 

“Mirrors were not made to admire one’s self in,” re- 
marked Julian, “only to see how best to adorn. But 
now, Queenie, as our time is limited, we shall be 
obliged to ask you for the best specimen of your 
vocal powers, after which we will beg the privilege 
of having you join us in a game of cards.” 

With a pleasant smile Miss Trainer went to the 
piano, and after sweeping lightly over the keys, she 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


29 


began to sing in rich and cultivated tones one of 
the simple old songs Theo loved so well to hear. 

“Bravo !” cried Julian, clapping his hands gayly; 
“I never heard you sing better,” while Theo sat in 
silent admiration of the artist and the song. 

After a few more selections the Queen, as we 
shall sometimes call her, arose from the instrument, 
and, in answer to a significant look from Stark, said, 
with a charming smile : 

“Now, you are doubtless ready for the cards, but 
it must not be merely a cold game. You will cer- 
tainly allow me to enliven it with refreshments.” 

“Your presence will certainly atone for the ab- 
sence of anything else. Give us that and we will be 
more than content,” exclaimed Theo, oblivious, for 
the time, of his loyalty to the only girl he had ever 
loved. 

“I am opposed to drinking wine as a general 
thing,” supplemented Stark, gravely; “while in it- 
self it may be innocent enough, its effect is bad on 
weak natures.” 

“A drive at me,” cried Theo; “that’s his style, 
Miss Trainer, but I can show him that my nhture is 
not so weak as he takes it to be. Let us have the 
wine, if you please.” 

“Certainly; it is mild, and will hurt no one.” 

A moment later a waiter entered the room with 
wine and other refreshments, which the partv were 
soon discussing along with the game ; Stark, how- 
ever, in accordance with his custom, partaking 
very sparingly. 

Under the siren’s lead Theo drank long and 
deeply. 

It seemed for the time that he was bewitched by 


30 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


the beauty who threw such a glamour over him and 
such thrilling glances into his eyes. 

How he got home he knew not, but through the 
whole evening he had the unpleasant conscious- 
ness of hearing Stark urge him to drink no more, a 
fact which, as its instigator intended, produced the 
effect of having him drink still more deeply, until 
we are obliged to confess he had to be assisted home. 

“What do you think of him?” asked Stark, cov- 
ertly, before leaving. “Will he make a victim?” 

“It would seem so,” remarked the Queen, with 
an uneasy laugh. “The only thing that troubles me 
is, what will be done in case there are two victims?” 

Stark looked at her sharply. 

“See here, Queenie, this is a business matter. 
Don’t play the fool and spoil our chances of making 
a fortune.” 

“Why should I divide it with you since I can have 
a chance of winning it all by winning him?” 

“All right,” carelessly, “but don’t forget that lit- 
tle affair with Windom last year, in which the poor 
devil lost his life.” 


CHAPTER V. 

JULIAN STARK’S STORY. 

“Howard,” said Stark, one evening, as he lounged 
into Theo’s room, “do you want to get rich in a 
month’s time?” 

“I wouldn’t object,” answered the other, with a 
careless laugh, “so the means were legitimate. 
Legitimate fortunes, however, are seldom made in 
a month.” 

Stark shrugged his shoulders. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


31 


“Thousands of them are made and lost every day, 
my boy, and that, too, in as legitimate a way as 
you please. It only requires a little nerve and good 
common sense. By the way, how much are you 
worth?” this somewhat curiously. 

Theo looked uneasily at the floor. 

“Not quite so much as I was a month ago.” 

“Oh, ho! been gambling and drinking a little, I 
see. How much has the fair Queen won from you, 
old fellow?” 

“Oh, not a great deal,” said Theo, trying to look 
unconcerned. 

“Better fess up, take an inventory of your losses, 
and then cut her acquaintance. Handling edged 
tools is a dangerous occupation, and you’ll find 
Miss Trainer possessed of as keen an edge as any 
woman you ever met.” 

“Why, then, did you introduce me to her?” 

“Simply because I believed you capable of taking 
care of yourself, and because I thought you needed 
amusement in Miss Ferry’s absence; I didn’t ex- 
pect that you would squander your money and go 
mooning over any such woman as the Queen.” 

“I am not so badly struck as you imagine,” said 
Theo, stiffly. 

“Perhaps not, but badly enough not to wish your 
intended bride to know anything about your esca- 
pade.” 

Howard reflected a moment. 

“That’s so,” he said, after awhile. “You’re about 
right, Stark; I guess I’ll go there no more. While 
I’ve been loyal enough to Myra in my heart, I can 
see how plainly my actions have spoken in the other 
direction. The Queen and I shall be strangers here- 
after.” 


32 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“Never do,'” said Stark. “See here, Howard, 
you’re not sharp. If you wouldn’t go back any 
more, the girl would give you an endless amount of 
trouble — a regular blowing up, as it were. All your 
friends from A to Izzard would know in short order 
that you had been very sweet on a questionable 
character, and you know what that would mean to 
you. I’ve a better plan. Go back and find some 
means of quarreling with her, and if you can in- 
duce her to get angry enough, she’ll bounce you 
and say nothing about it. I’ll leave the means to 
yourself.” 

Theo became silent again. 

The enormity of his conduct became apparent to 
him, and during the few moments he passed in 
thought he made a resolution that from henceforth 
he would act the man. 

“What would faithful Myra think were she to 
know what has been going on in her absence? 
What would she feel were she to discover that I 
have proven not only unfaithful, but wholly un- 
worthy of her? No! This is my last escapade, and 
Myra shall be informed of what I have done on her 
return.” 

“Well,” remarked Stark, lazily, “have you 
figured up your late losses? You seem to be in a 
deep study of some kind.” 

“Yes, I have been footing up my losses in a moral 
point of view, because I now regard them the most 
important. The other I have not yet considered in 
their full details, but most of my surplus at the 
bank is gone, and that is about all I have to depend 
upon.” 

“Then, I take it, you are financially embar- 
rassed.” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


33 


“That’s about it. True, I have some bank stock, 
but not very much. You must remember that I rose 
from a very small beginning.” 

“You would rather that Miss Ferry should know 
nothing of your losses.” 

“Certainly; it would not add any to her peace of 
mind.” 

“Then we should at once set about repairing 
your fortunes, provided,” with a smile, “that it can 
be done in a legitimate way.” 

“The best way I know of is to go to work as I 
have done all my life, and regain my former finan- 
cial standing by proper attention to business.” 

“Slow work; will never do. You want a home, a 
luxurious one at that, for your bride, and must not 
therefore think of such a thing as a humble cottage, 
and all that sort of nonsense. Now,” drawing his 
chair closer and speaking in low tones, as if fearful 
of being overheard, “I have a scheme on hand 
which promises, nay, is certain of returning a profit 
sufficient to make you as well as myself almost mil- 
lionaires. That I have not even breathed it to any 
one you may be sure from this fact that I have not 
until this moment mentioned it to my best friend. I 
will reveal it to you only on condition that you keep 
it secret.” 

“Of course you have my promise,” said Theo, be- 
coming interested. 

“I have thought out every detail of my plan, and 
am absolutely certain of its success, for I have the 
last cent of my own money ready to turn into it. 

“This, in short, is the scheme : Two years ago I 
was prospecting in the West, and stumbled upon a 
claim then occupied by a shiftless miner, who made 
a living by picking up what nuggets he could find, 


34 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


and by digging here and there as humor or neces- 
sity seized him. 

“He would have killed me had I not been as 
powerful as himself, and better armed ; for it seems 
that he had been working the claim on the quiet, 
and I had been the first to discover its whereabouts. 
It was a wild enough place, and I was heartily glad 
to get out of it. 

“Before leaving, however, I made him an offer of 
ten thousand dollars for the mine, but he laughed 
at me, and said nothing less than twenty-five thou- 
sand dollars would buy it. 

“A few days later I came back with an expert 
while the owner of the claim was off on one of his 
periodical sprees, and made a thorough examina- 
tion, pretending, of course, in order to blind my 
companion, that the property was mine. 

“The report was a most favorable one, and the ex- 
pert congratulated me on my good luck to be the 
possessor of such a bonanza. I once more met the 
miner, and increased, my offer to fifteen thousand 
dollars, though then I had not so many cents in all 
the world, but I was answered with another laugh 
of derision. 

“Knowing, of course, the impossibility of raising 
the money in that locality, I left the country in dis- 
gust, but could never get the idea out of my head 
that I should be the possessor of that mine and its 
unknown treasures of gold. 

“And now comes the strange part of the story. 
Three days ago I ran against a stranger on the 
streets, wearing the looks and the costume of a wild 
Western hybrid, and who do you think the fellow 
was?” 

“Your miner friend, doubtless.” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


35 


“ Exactly so; the same thriftless fellow, ragged 
and dirty, without a cent to buy him food or lodg- 
ing. I recognized him at once, and provided for 
him to the best of my ability. Said he in return : 
‘Stark, you’ve acted the white man toward me, and 
I’ll do the square thing by you. You shall have 
that mine for fifteen thousand, and I wouldn’t take 
less than my original price from anybody else. I 
got tired working it myself, and have hunted you 
up to strike a dicker with you. ’ 

“To make a long story short, I looked the ground 
over very carefully, and came to the conclusion 
that it is the best investment I have ever had any- 
thing to do with; but I can raise only ten thousand 
dollars. Can you supply the other five?” 

“I have about five thousand dollars,” replied 
Theo, thoughtfully, “but I am not fully satisfied as 
to the safety of confiding so much in a stranger’s 
word.” 

It is not our purpose to detail the various strong 
lights in which Stark placed his arguments before 
the young cashier. It is but necessary to state that 
he appealed to his pride in providing the best possi- 
ble home for his future wife ; his duty to do the best 
for himself ; the absolute certainty of disposing of 
the property, in case they should decide not to work 
it themselves, for many times its cost ; and a thou- 
sand other alluring pictures of what could be done 
with the fortune to be secured with so little trouble. 

When Julian Stark parted from Theo that night 
he had secured the latter’s promise to enter into 
the venture with him. 


36 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


CHAPTER VI. 

THE QUEEN AND THEO. 

Theo Howard sat in his room wrapped in the 
thoughts that crowded upon him. 

“The die is cast,” he meditated. “What I am 
about to do probably never can be undone, but at 
least I go into the future and out into the world with 
my eyes open. Nevertheless, I do not feel easy or 
even safe in taking this step. Perhaps this may be 
owing to the fact that the happiness of being once 
more with Myra will be necessarily postponed, 
though I hope, as Julian thinks also, that we shall 
not be absent more than a month. Then good-bye 
to poverty, and welcome to fortune and all the en- 
joyment it will bring. One thing, however, affords 
me more satisfaction than all the wealth in the 
world could possibly create, and that is the fact of 
my breaking off with Miss Trainer. For once I 
have disregarded Stark’s advice, and followed the 
promptings of my conscience. I have not seen 
her since that night, and I hope that my eyes will 
never rest upon her fatal likeness again.” 

At that moment a ring was heard at the door, and 
before Theo could bid the visitor enter, a veiled 
woman stepped across the threshold and paused be- 
fore him. 

Something in the graceful form seemed very famil- 
iar, and the young man was not greatly surprised 
when the lineaments of the Queen were revealed by 
the casting aside of the veil. 

There stood Irene Trainer, a flush in her perfect 
face and a look of reproach in her eye. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


37 


Theo colored for a moment at the awkwardness of 
the meeting, but his manhood at once came to the 
rescue. 

“An unexpected pleasure, Miss Trainer,” he said, 
as coolly as the circumstances would permit. 

“Oh, it is a pleasure, then, is it?” she said, with a 
dangerous flash of her eye. “I am so glad to hear 
it spoken with such evident feeling ; otherwise I 
should infer that you have tried to avoid me for the 
past month.” 

“I have not tried to avoid you; I have simply 
been keeping to myself and attending to my affairs 
which had gotten very much out of order.” 

“You have suddenly gotten above visiting me?” 

“I don’t look at it in that light. Indeed, my doings 
for the past few months have been such as to lower 
myself at least in my own estimation. The fact is, I 
have been taking an inventory of my finances, and 
have come to the conclusion that visiting your es- 
tablishment, pleasant as it may be, is a somewhat ex- 
travagant mode of amusing one’s self. You have al- 
most bankrupted me. The costly wines you have 
set forth, and the costlier play that I have allowed 
myself to indulge in have been my downfall.” 

“Is that all?” 

“It is certainly enough.” 

The Queen gave a sigh of relief. 

“I was afraid you had taken a fancy to another 
face.” 

“I? Oh, no! my fancy has never wavered in the 
least.” 

“Can’t I induce you to come back and be friendly 
as of old?” with a pleading look. 

“I have, no desire to be at enmity with you, but I 
cannot hereafter visit you.” 


38 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“Has Julian Stark been poisoning your mind 
against me?” angrily. 

“Hot at all. If I had followed his advice I would 
yet be enrolled in your train. ” 

“Then why not follow his advice?” asked the 
beautiful girl, pleadingly. 

Theo looked at her earnestly for a moment, won- 
dering how it was possible that vice had ever se- 
cured a foothold in the soul that occupied such a 
perfect form and was endowed with such brilliant 
accomplishments. Was it any wonder that she 
had almost succeeded in insnaring him as she had 
done many a young man before? 

“See,” said she, kneeling at his feet, “I implore 
you to be my friend. I am willing to make any sac- 
rifice for your sake, if you will but give me a little of 
your love,” the voice sinking lower in shame at the 
confession. 

“Rise!” said Theo, sternly, as he compelled her to 
assume her original position ; but for answer the ap- 
parently infatuated woman threw her arms about 
his neck, and clung to him with all the intensity of 
unrequited love. 

Her ruse would have been successful with many 
a man of a trifle less determination, for the soft 
tones of her perfectly modulated voice, the delicate 
perfume that hovered about her, the confession she 
was making, all were bewildering enough to him 
who had long since irrevocably made up his mind 
to the course he should for the sake of duty, loyalty, 
and manhood pursue. 

Therefore he quietly but no less firmly removed 
her arms, and in icy tones remarked : 

“You forget yourself, Miss Trainer. Please be 
seated.”. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


39 


The Queen sank into the nearest chair, panting 
for breath, but a dangerous gleam had suddenly 
made its appearance in her glowing orbs. 

“Ha! ha! ha! what a scene, and what a virtuous 
young man!” 

“Alas, no! but a young man who has realized the 
error of his way, and is determined to profit 
thereby.” 

“Then you have made up your mind to cast me 
off?” 

“Hot at all. I have never considered myself your 
lover.” 

“But I have!” she cried, fiercely, “apd I will not 
be jilted. Make any attempt of the kind at your 
peril !” 

Theo’s lip turned in scorn. 

“There is the door,” he said, quietly. “I have 
had enough of such a scene; therefore be kind 
enough to leave the house.” 

It would be difficult to depict the change that took 
place in her mobile countenance, but it suddenly 
became convulsed with a spasm of anger, hate, jeal- 
ousy, and fury, such as Theo had never yet seen in 
a human face. 

“You scorn me ! You dismiss me as you would a 
loathsome cur, unfit to occupy the same room, to 
breath the same air as your sainted self. Very well; 
be it so, but remember that our accounts are yet 
open, and that they are now in your favor ; but the 
balancing will come in due time. Until then, good- 
bye and pleasant dreams!” 

The next moment she had passed through the door 
out into the night. 

“What a vixen she is!” Theo commented. “She 
looked furious enough to have murdered me, 


40 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


though she is sorry already that she acted so out- 
rageously. What a confounded pretty compound 
of all the vices, too ; but I am decidedly glad to be 
rid of her at last.” 

In the meantime Irene Trainer was hurrying 
along the street, and anathematizing, in her blind 
fashion, Tlieo and all his connections, and plotting a 
fit return for what she called his faithlessness. 

As she was crossing a dark alley she almost ran 
against the figure of a man walking in the opposite 
direction, and as the latter muttered a hasty apology 
she lost sight of her anger sufficiently to recognize 
the tones as belonging to Stark. 

“Oh, it is you, is it?” she said, sharply. “Going 
to see your dupe, I suppose?” 

“Hello, my fair sovereign,” after assuring himself 
by a searching glance that he was not being ob- 
served. “What brings the fair Queen to this local- 
ity to-night?” 

“The city is free to me, is it not?” 

“As long as you conduct yourself properly, but 
what has happened, Queenie? Your digestion seems 
to be out of order.” 

“Don’t be a fool, Julian Stark. This is no laugh- 
ing matter.” 

“Indeed ! but pray do not be so boisterous in tone ; 
some curious passer-by might catch the drift of yofir 
words, and be attracted hither.” 

“Yes, and discover the saintly Stark in colloquy 
with a suspicious character.” 

“Oh, no ; not so bad as that. You are generally 
considered a very respectable woman, with a some- 
what unusual proclivity toward liveliness of man- 
ner.” 

“Thank you. I should judge, however, that if 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


41 


you could only be seen here, it would prove quite an 
eye-opener to certain persons. ” 

“An unnecessary one, at all events; and I guess 
you are just as much interested in upholding the 
good name of the saintly Stark, as you call him, as 
the saintly Stark himself. You must have been 
calling on our mutual friend to-night.” 

“I have.” 

“Qold reception, doubtless, judging from the gen- 
eral frigidity of the atmosphere about you.” 

“You are right; he has cast me off altogether.” 

Stark whistled. 

“Bad as that? Well, I was afraid he would, and 
advised him to let you go gradually ; but it seems 
that he wouldn’t have anything except an abrupt 
termination to an acquaintance that has been a 
most profitable one to you, and so acted on his own 
advice.” 

“I thought you had put him up to it. If you had, 
I intended to make it warm for you.” 

“Don’t think of such a thing in this weather, my 
dear girl ; it’s too fatiguing. Besides, never lose 
sight of the fact that I hold you in the hollow of my 
hand. A single misstep, and the Queen is queen no 
more.” 

Irene laughed contemptuously. 

“I’m too old a bird to be scared by such idle 
threats.” 

“Idle threats ! Think of poor Windom, who lost 
his life so mysteriously last year, and then say idle 
threats.” 

“I wonder if the good people of Minneapolis have 
ever heard of the name of Bob Younger?” said the 
girl, almost irrelevantly, as she drew the light shawl 
a little more closely about her form. 


42 


BOB YOUNGER'S FATE. 


“ ‘Doubtless,” laughed Stark, carelessly. “Such a 
ruffian and. cut-throat couldn’t live long so near us 
without making a more or less unsavory reputation 
beyond his own State.” 

“How much do you think the good officials of this 
city would be willing to give just to know where to 
lay hands on him? and then how much do you sup- 
pose his excellent friends, the officers of our neigh- 
boring State, would be delighted to add to this 
amount simply for the privilege of cultivating his 
acquaintance at short range?” 

“That thought has really never interested me, but 
I have no doubt it would prove a munificent re- 
ward.” 

“Then I guess we are quits for the present. Good- 
night !” 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE BANK ROBBERY. 

“Mr. Daniels,” said Theo Howard, as one of the 
most prominent and wealthy directors of the bank 
came in on a matter of business, “I wish to speak to 
you before you go.” 

“Certainly, Mr. Howard; I shall be at leisure in a 
moment.” 

Five minutes later the two were in the cashier’s 
private office. 

“Mr. Daniels,” began Theo, “I have decided on 
making a change.” 

“What!” cried the other, in great surprise, and 
with no little chagrin depicted in his countenance. 
“You are not going to leave us?” 

“Yes, I am about to go into a venture on my own 
ac count. ” 


BOB YOUNGEB/S FATE. 


43 


“Tut, tut, man! we cannot afford to let you go; 
and let me say I am persuaded that you cannot 
afford to leave us.” 

“I would not think of breaking my connection 
with an institution that has been the making of me, 
unless I believed I would be bettering myself; 
but I must say that it is with the keenest regret 
that I have decided to leave the employ of this fine 
old business house.” 

“Going to leave the city?” 

“Yes. I would be glad to tell you everything 
concerning my venture, Mr. Daniels, but as it is a 
partnership and to a certain extent its success de- 
pends upon the secrecy with which it is conducted, 
I do not feel at liberty to say more.” 

“When do you leave?” 

“Next week.” 

“And your decision is final?” • 

“Yes.” 

“See here, Howard. You are about to embark in 
something more or less risky, for nothing to a busi- 
ness man is an absolute certainty. You may suc- 
ceed in this matter ; you may lose every cent. In 
the latter case what becomes of you, your prospects, 
your hopes? Now, your position here is a certainty 
so far as human foresight is able to divine.” 

“That is true enough, but you know that if one 
ventures nothing, one wins nothing.” 

“Yes,” somewhat testily, “hut you must use a lit- 
tle common sense in your ventures. I haven’t the 
faintest idea what this freak of yours is, but why 
don’t you hold on to your position here until you are 
satisfied that your move in the other direction is to 
be a success? In other words, get a substitute for 
cashier, or simply obtain leave of absence for a 


44 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


month, or for whatever time you may think it neces- 
sary. ” 

Theo was silent for a moment. 

“I believe that will be the better plan,” he said at 
last. 

“Undoubtedly, so we will consider the matter set- 
tled,” and Mr. Daniels, with a smile of satisfaction 
that he had succeeded in retaining an employe 
whose services were so valuable, left the bank in the 
loveliest humor imaginable. 

“Hayes,” said Theo, to the janitor, at the close of 
banking hours, “I expect to be back after supper, 
as I have a little work to do before to-morrow. ” 

“Very well, sir,” was the reply. “I shall have 
things in shape for you.” 

About eight o’clock the side door of the bank was 
opened, and Hayes, who was engaged in sweeping 
out the hall, observed the figure of Howard enter. 

With a nod of salutation the cashier passed on 
into his office, carelessly whistling a popular air, and 
for an hour the janitor heard him moving about 
from one part of the bank to another, still humming 
and whisting over his work. 

“The cashier’s sartinly in a good humor the 
night,” muttered Hayes, as he descended into the 
basement. “Begorra, I don’t doubt in the laste he’s 
had a letter from his swateheart. That’s fwhat 
brings thim to the scratch ivery toime. Och, but 
he’s a good one, that same man, and he desarves 
the jewel he’s goin’ to get. If I had me dimmyjohn 
here I’d drink swate luck to both. Hist! fwhat the 
divil’s that?” he added, in alarm, as he heard a 
slight noise in the darkness. “Aither ghosts or rats, 
and rats I’ve niver seen in this buildin’. Onyhow, 
here’s a match, and we’ll see if it’s ghosts. Oh!” 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


43 


With a groan the janitor sank unconscious upon 
the floor. 

A sandbag had descended upon his head just as 
he was about to light the match, and rendered him 
harmless for the time. 

When consciousness returned, the unlucky Irish- 
man found himself blindfolded and tied hand and 
foot, so that either sight or movement was an utter 
impossibility. 

And thus, during the slow watches of the night, 
he was forced to lie in that position, fearful every 
moment of the return of the burglar or burglars, 
and racked with rheumatic pains. 

His thoughts, however, could not be bound, and ifc 
is almost needless to say that his doleful utterances 
would have made a most interesting book of lamen- 
tations. 

The next morning, about nine o’clock, the poor 
fellow was discovered and relieved from his un- 
pleasant situation, when at the same time the fact 
of the bank robbery was made apparent. 

Ten thousand in money and an equal amount in 
bonds were stolen, but the greatest excitement 
was caused by the report that the cashier was 
missing. , 

Evidences of a terrific struggle were seen in his 
office, and even blood was noticed on the furniture ; 
but the belief that Theo Howard was an accomplice 
in the burglary became general, and gained ground 
each succeeding hour. 

Finally, after a lapse of two days, a workman, in 
excavating near the opening of a sewer, discovered 
the body of a man wedged in the man-hole. 

His excited cries attracted other persons to the 
locality, and, as the corpse was brought to light, the 


46 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


clothing was at once recognized as belonging to the 
missing cashier; but unfortunately the face was 
so badly mutilated that recognition so far as that 
part of the body was concerned was impossible. 

Notwithstanding this uncertainty, a scar on the 
scalp, the color of the hair, the general appearance, 
all conspired to prove the identity of the corpse, and 
the verdict of the coroner was that Theo Howard 
had come to his death by injuries received at the 
hands of persons unknown. 

Detectives were at once set to work upon the 
case, but the burglars had done their work so well 
that no clew could be found either to the missing 
money or the thieves into whose hands it had passed. 

One fact was settled, however ; the innocence of 
Howard was fully established, and those who had 
known the young man were rejoiced to have it 
proved that, coupled with his abilities were thorough 
integrity, honesty, and bravery ; for had he not died 
m defense of the property of others? 

In the meantime what had happened our hero? 

Leaving the bank, he hurried home to finish 
some writing, and found lying in a conspicuous 
place a letter in the well-known chirography of 
Stark. 

''Come at once,” it read, “to No. — Arch street. 
Your presence is absolutely necessary, as business 
of the utmost importance is to be immediately trans- 
acted.” 

There was no signature, as it was, of course, an 
understood thing that the handwriting of two such 
close friends was perfectly familiar to each other. 

Theo lost no time making his way to the place in- 
dicated, and was admitted at once by Stark, who 
had been on the lookout for him. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


47 


“What’s up?” he asked. “Something must be 
wrong, for I never knew you to be in such haste be- 
fore.” 

“Something is wrong,” was Stark’s reply, his 
finger on his lips. “Come into this room. By the 
way,” he added, in an undertone, “did you bring 
your money with you?” 

“Yes, I have it in large bills.” 

As Theo entered the room indicated he noticed 
that it already possessed an occupant, a rough look- 
ing man with bushy hair and slouchy clothes ; in 
short, not such a man as would be likely to inspire 
confidence in himself. 

“Theo,” said Stark, by way of introduction, “this 
is the gentleman I mentioned to you, Mr. Scott. As 
you understand, he is to be our companion shortly.” 

Theo nodded. He could not bring himself to take 
this dissipated, desperate looking fellow by the 
hand, and the latter seemed as little inclined to 
familiarity as himself. 

If Stark noticed any coolness between them he 
concealed it all under a smile, and immediately pro- 
ceeded to the business before them. 

“Doubtless, you will wonder at this sudden call, 
Theo,” he began; “but matters have taken on a 
new phase which must be at once boldly met by us. 
It seems that some of our plans have been dis- 
covered,” with a look of interrogation at Scott as if 
for approval. 

“That’s the idea,” said the other, gruffly; 
“they’ve been discovered.” 

“You will remember that we had agreed upon a 
start next week, and some of our arrangements have 
already been made with that end in view. I have 
lifted all my money, and it seems that you have 


48 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


done the same tiling. A few minor matters are still 
unsettled, but, on the whole, we will not be incon- 
venienced greatly by a change in the date of our de- 
parture.’ ? 

“What do you mean?” asked Theo. 

“We must start at once.” 

“At once?” 

“This very night.” 

“An utter impossibility,” Theo said, firmly. “If 
a start must be made to-night, then make it without 
roe.” 

Scott glanced at Stark as if to see what course his 
leader would pursue. 

“Why can’t you go now?” 

“Business at the bank requires my presence. I 
had appointed to-night for some work there ; besides, 
I told Mr. Daniels I would not leave until next 
week.” 

“But don’t you see this is a sudden emergency, 
one that admits of no delay, provided that you wish 
to share in the fortune we are about to secure? 
Write him a note stating that you are called away 
suddenly, and leave the business in his hands. I 
shall see that the note reaches him, for you will not 
have a moment to lose if you wish to go with us,” 

Theo looked perplexed. 

“A strange business all around,” he said. 

“The fact of the matter,” put in Scott, “is simply 
this: Yer friend Stark hyer has been a leetle too 
liberal to me in the way of money, and I’ve a habit 
o’ bein’ summat too liberal to myself in the way o’ 
liquor. Well, night afore last I h’isted a trifle too 
much liquid pison, and as a consekens became too 
talkative. I let out most of my errand in this hyer 
town to a couple o’ pilgrims not any better than 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


49 


they ort to be, and when they thort I was about 
done for, they began to lay a plot to jump my claim. 
By pretendin’ I was too drunk to notice anything, I 
succeeded in getting on to their game from first to 
last. They start to-morrow, and if we want to 
head them off we’ve got to git away to-night, and 
no mistake. Lemme tell you another thing ; they’re 
going to watch us like hawks to see that we don’t go 
afore they do.” 

“Us?” asked Theo, sharply. “What do they know 
of us?” 

“Oh, they know all about it. I let more out than 
I intended that night.” 

“I’ll tell you my plan,” interrupted Stark. “Scott 
doesn’t like it, but I think it’s about the only thing 
we can do that is reasonably sure to be successful. 
We must disguise ourselves as farmers, and ride out 
of town on horseback, ostensibly on our return home 

from the city, but in the direction of B , the 

nearest station we can reach at which the western 
train stops. There we can cast aside our disguises, 
buy our tickets, and board the train.” 

“It seems to me,” remarked Theo, doubtfully, 
“that such a plan would be a roundabout way of 
circumventing a couple of rogues. Why not go 
directly to the depot here?” 

“They’d detect us sure then, disguise or no dis- 
guise, for they are on the watch there. Come, write 
your note to Mr. Daniels, and while you eat a bite 
and change your clothes, I shall get a boy to take 
your communication to its destination.” 

Theo, convinced against his will, but falling in 
with his friend’s judgment in his anxiety to retrieve 
his shattered fortunes, did as requested, and when 


50 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


he had finished the missive surrendered it into 
Stark’s hands. 

The latter retired from the room, struck a match, 
applied the flame to the envelope, and after watch- 
ing it consume slowly away, lighted his cigar with 
the last dying embers, and then returned to the 
presence of him he was wont to call his dearest 
friend. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

THE HIGHWAYMAN. 

The shadows of darkness had fallen upon the city 
as out of a livery stable rode two farmers, one of 
them leading a horse by the bridle. 

As they drew up before the door of the inn to 
which the stable served as an attachment, another 
farmer, stoop-shouldered and somewhat past middle 
age, hobbled out, conversing at the same time with 
the proprietor. 

4 £ Come, Jabez,” said one of the riders, impatiently, 
“it’s time we was on our way long ago.” 

“Yes, yes; I’ll be there d’rectly,” and with a part- 
ing word Jabez mounted the block, and from 
thence seated himself on his horse after much 
grumbling at the rheumatics, which seemed to in- 
terfere greatly with his movements. 

The trio then rode off, while the inn-keeper gazed 
after them a little curiously. 

4 ‘Never saw them fellows before; must be new 
settlers in this part of the country ; but the queer 
part of it is, their horses don’t appear to look like 
farm animals. They seem more like city nags.” 

In the meantime the so-called farmers were pur- 
suing their way through the city. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


51 


“It seems to me,” the one who had not yet 
spoken said, in low tones, “that every one even in 
the darkness is looking on me with suspicious eyes.” 

“Imagination, of course,” was Jabez’ answer, 
given in almost a whisper. “It goes hard with one 
of your spirit to do a thing like this, but by the time 
you again reach Minneapolis you will have become 
accustomed to that kind of strategy and enjoy it 
amazingly well, no doubt.” 

“I hope the game is worth the candle.” 

“Of course it is. Don’t I risk as much, ay, more 
than you? And yet my faith in the venture will not 
allow me to think of such a thing as failure.” 

“What tickles me,” remarked the third man, “is 
how we outwitted them two chaps wot thought that 
they had outwitted me. Jest as soon as we get out 
of this penned-up place you’ll hear the all-firedest 
hoss-laugh as ever come out’n a human critter.” 

“Keep it back as long as possible,” remarked 
Jabez, with a smile. “Don’t let’s crow any till we 
reach the claim.” 

“All right, boss ; I’ll do the best I can — jest take it 
out in chucklin’ to myself. It won’t cost nothin’, and 
will afford me a heap of amusement.” 

By this time they had reached the outskirts of the 
city where only a light here and there was visible, 
and they consequently felt comparatively safe from 
pursuit. 

Soon all traces of the town they had lately left dis- 
appeared, and they were now compelled to pick 
their way in the complete darkness that had fallen 
upon the land. 

They had ridden an hour in this way when he of 
the horse-laugh suddenly stopped his animal with 
an exclamation of deep disgust. 


52 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“See here, boys, stop a minute. This confounded 
girth has come loose, and I’ll have to dismount to 
fix it.” 

He slid to the ground nimbly as a cat, and busied 
himself with the loosened girth. 

At last he seemed to have put the refractory piece 
of leather in due submission. 

“Now, friend Jabez, mayn’t I heave out that hoss- 
laugh?” 

“I suppose it’s safe enough here, but tone it down; 
you know not who may be listening.” 

For answer the fellow burst out into such a hearty 
guffaw as made the echoes ring. 

The effect was certainly different from what one 
of the pseudo farmers imagined was in store for 
them, for scarcely had the sound died away when 
from four separate points in the surrounding bushes 
as many men rushed forth and grappled with our 
travelers. 

One of them selected Scott, and rolled over and 
over in the dust with him, neither seeming to gain 
any advantage, while a second rushed at Jabez, and 
with a quick motion pulled him off his steed. 

“Save yourself!” cried he to Theo, sinking to the 
earth, with a groan as though badly hurt. 

The two remaining assailants rushed furiously at 
the cashier, but were not destined to be so success- 
ful as their partners had proven. 

Drawing his revolver, the young man fired 
directly in the face of one of the foe, or rather made 
an attempt to do so, but the weapon did not go off. 

Pulling the trigger again with the same result, he 
immediately began to use the revolver as a club, 
and with such good effect that one of the attacking 


BOB YOUNGEB’S FATE. 


53 


party suddenly retired from the battle with a phy- 
siognomy much the worse for the wear. 

The second rogue had meanwhile been busy on 
the other side, and with the well directed blow of a 
club he partially stunned Theo, who toppled from his 
horse, and the next moment was securely hound 
and gagged. 

By this time all noise of the conflict had ceased, 
and Theo supposed that his friends had been con- 
quered, perhaps killed. They had at all events dis- 
appeared. 

Three men, a few minutes after he had been se- 
cured, raised him bodily, and took up their line of 
march through a thickly wooded tract to their left. 

Fifteen minutes’ walking brought the party with- 
in sight of a gloomy looking structure which finally 
resolved itself into a stone house, once occupied, but 
now tumble-down and tenanted only by rats and 
other vermin. 

Through the crazy door the men carried their bur- 
den, and deposited it in an inner room. One of them 
now struck a match, and lighted a smoky lamp that 
stopd on the dusty mantel. 

By this time Theo discovered that his captors wore 
masks, and that they were a rough looking set of 
fellows, well armed and evidently desperate. 

“Sorry we can’t offer you better accomodations 
than these,’’ said one; “but the fact is, this shaky 
old barn don’t belong to us any more than to you. 
It’s simply a temporary resting place. But you’ll get 
used to it by and by. I’ve no doubt,” with a signifi- 
cant leer, “by the time you get ready to come out, 
you’ll imagine this a brown stone front on Fifth 
avenue, and perhaps refuse to come out at all. 
Now, if you promise to be docile and lamb-like, I’ll 


54 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


ease you up somewhat, and remove that piece of 
leather from your mouth. It’s not the cleanest piece 
we could find, but I suspect it is more uncomfort- 
able than it is dirty. Now, just give a quiet nod that 
you’ll preserve a quiet demeanor, and I’ll remove 
it.” 

Theo made the required gesture, and was imme- 
diately in a position to talk. 

“Where are my friends?” he asked, with a quak- 
ing of the heart. 

“Oh, they’re all right. We thought it best to sep- 
arate you.” 

“Were any of them injured?” 

“Well, yes; that millionaire mine owner got too 
lively for his man, and had to be knocked on the 
head — just a little tap, you understand — but that 
ain’t nothing to a man of his constitution. He’ll re- 
cover in the course of a few hours, and feel all the 
better for it.” 

“And Stark; what of him?” 

The robber laughed. 

“Why, he’s a coward. He just knelt and begged 
for mercy.” 

“I don’t believe it.” 

“All right; that’s your privilege, but he did it 
just the same.” 

“He has too much courage for that.” 

“Maybe he has, but he must have left it at home 
this trip.” 

“What was your object in waylaying us?” 

“I’d ruther not tell.” 

“It will leak out anyhow.” 

“Well, say it was money if you like.” 

“I suppose you got it, then.” 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


55 


“Certainly. Then you may add a little revenge.’’ 

“And you’ve obtained that, doubtless.” 

“Not at all. You’ve struck the wrong party 
when you insiniwate that we trifle with sech a 
weepon. Oh, no ! we’re after the solid ducats. But 
then another party wants the revenge ; the pootiest 
article I ever saw,” and the speaker rolled his eyes 
as if in ecstasy at the vision he beheld. 

“Who is that?” asked Theo, in quick suspicion. 

“I’ll leave the party to introduce herself, for I 
know she is dying to secure an interview. Come, 
boys, let the lady have a chance,” and the three 
with smiles and nods immediately left the room. 

“A wild thought has just entered my mind,” mut- 
tered Theo; “but I have dismissed it as unworthy of 
entertainment for a single moment. Irene Trainer 
certainly has had nothing to do with this — how 
could she? Alas! how my bright hopes of fortune 
have in a moment’s time been destroyed, perhaps 
forever. All my money gone, and death maybe 
staring me in the face. Had I followed Mr. Daniels’ 
advice, I would have been safe at this instant, my 
money would still be securely invested, and pros- 
perity would have been a natural consequence. But 
I will not despair. I am young ; I have some little 
ability, and this* experience may be of great advan- 
tage to me. I shall certainly not submit to staying 
here any length of time if the determination to get 
out will assist me any. Then for Myra and happi- 
ness.” 

A rustle at his side, and he knew that some one 
had entered the room. 

Looking up he beheld the well-known face and 
form of the Queen. 


56 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


CHAPTER IX. 

THE PRICE OF LIBERTY. 

Theo gazed at the girl steadily for a minute, as .if 
to divine her guilt or innocence in connection with 
his capture. 

There was evidently an expression of malicious 
triumph in her face, although she looked very pretty 
through it all, as Theo himself was feign to confess. 

“How do you like your new quarters?” she in- 
quired, very composedly. 

“You have given me neither the time nor oppor- 
tunity of examining them, that is if you have had 
anything to do with the affair,” he answered, think- 
ing it best to fall in with her humor. 

“Of course I have had something to do with it,” 
she said, quickly; “I want you to understand from 
the beginning that I have had everything to do with 
it. You will not, therefore, have any excuse for 
blaming any one else.” 

“What, pray, has been your object in this strange 
proceeding?” 

“Heed you ask me?” 

“I certainly do. A man has a right to know why 
another man assaults and kidnaps him on the open 
highway.” 

“You remember our last meeting?” 

“I do.” 

“How you scorned my advances?” 

“I simply refused them.” 

“I felt it just as much as if you had declared that 
you loathed me,” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


57 


“Has not a man the privilege of refusing whom he 
pleases?” 

“Under certain circumstances I would concede 
that right; but not in your case.” 

“Why not?” 

“Didn’t you visit me for six months, show me 
every attention, spend your money freely upon me, 
and virtually declare that you cared for me?” 

Theo was silent. 

“I, claim an answer.” 

“I confess I did wrong, hut the wrong was com- 
mitted against another person.” 

Irene’s lip curled. 

“Of course I know what you mean, and I am fully 
aware that you don’t take me into account. You 
assume it as granted that I have no heart, no feel- 
ings to be trampled upon, but I think myself capa- 
ble of showing you differently.” 

“I don’t in the least doubt your ability now to do 
anything that is devilish,” said Theo, carelessly; 
“though I can scarcely see what you intend to ac- 
complish by such a course.” 

“You will.be shown in due time. Suppose, for in- 
stance, that you fail to return home, what agony 
will your proud beauty, the banker’s daughter, 
suffer when uncertainty as to your fate, pain of pro- 
longed separation, and a thousand other griefs gnaw 
at her vitals?” 

“You have no heart!” said Theo, angrily. 

“How could I,” she answered, mockingly, “when 
you have it all, or had it, I’d better say?” 

“Will you answer one question?” 

“Certainly; you know how fond I am of conver- 
sation with you. It’s my especial weakness.” 


58 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“How did you obtain information of our depart- 
ure?” 

‘‘In the simplest and most accidental way in the 
world. A couple of men stumbled by some lucky 
chance into a restaurant where I was seated, taking 
some refreshments last evening. They were not 
the most prepossessing of men, and I would not 
have noticed them at all had not a word spoken in 
low tones reached my ears. That word was your 
name. In an instant I was all attention, and, un- 
seen by them, drew nearer on pretense of picking 
up a fallen article from the floor. My ruse was suc- 
cessful even if I did but catch only a few words. 
They were aware that you were about to leave 
town in company with your good friend Stark, and 
were waiting for the first opportunity to get away. 
I hesitated no longer, but at once introduced my- 
self, stating that I was after revenge, and would be 
satisfied with only you as its object; they might 
keep whatever money they should find upon your 
person. It did not take long to persuade them, in 
view of the fact that I was able to give them not a 
little information on points they were ignorant of. 
It is sufficient to say that your every movement was 
thereafter scrutinized closely, and even when you 
were riding the streets of Minneapolis in your be- 
coming farmer costumes, your footsteps were as 
closely dogged as ever man’s were. Our plot was 
successful, as you know already. My robber friends 
have the money; I shall have my revenge !” 

“Where is Scott?” 

“He’s safe enough in another apartment, and will 
be freed in due time.” 

“I should not be greatly surprised to ascertain 
that he is one of your confederates. His looks are 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


59 


about on a par with the desperadoes who were in 
this room a few minutes ago.” 

“He isn*t a very handsome fellow, that is true, but 
his looks are surely no fault of his. He certainly 
seemed to fight hard enough for his liberty.” 

“And Stark; what of him?” Theo asked, eagerly. 

“That is what troubles me,” she replied, in ap- 
parently perplexed tones. “What disposition will be 
made of him I have not yet decided. If he is al- 
lowed to go, I am afraid he will create trouble for us. 
He isn’t one who is likely to submit to any such 
high-handed proceedings as were instituted against 
him to-night.” 

“I should think not,” said Theo, warmly, “and I 
believe you were very foolish to detain him or even 
me, from motives of revenge. You will certainly 
suffer in the end.” 

The girl’s face flushed as she seemed to hesitate 
about taking a contemplated step that would per- 
haps humiliate her deeply, but it soon became evi- 
dent that she had fully made up her mind. 

“You are completely in my power.” 

“It seems so,” with a look of disgust. 

“You can free yourself by a word.” 

“Certainly not an exorbitant ransom.” 

“Shall I mention my terms?” 

“I presume it would do no harm.” 

“Then give me your love, and you will be free in 
a moment’s time.” 

Would it do to temporize with her, and thus gain 
a fresh lease on life? 

“Remember,” cried the Queen, “no subterfuge, no 
treachery! Give me your word, and I know you 
will act squarely.” 

Theo set his features firmly. 


60 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“You had my answer once.” 

“Think well before you give it again. Take what 
time you like, and recollect that the proud pale- 
faced girl you have chqsen can never lavish upon 
you a tithe of the love I will give you ; then compare 
the life you will lead with the fate that threatens 
you should you refuse. I have sworn that you shall 
never wed Myra Ferry.” 

Theo looked in wonder upon this deluded woman. 
She must be insane to act so. 

“It is not necessary for me to take a moment for 
thought. I could not under the circumstances be the 
recipient of even life at your hands.” 

A demon of fury seemed to possess his companion 
at this reply; her countenance became the prey of 
a thousand conflicting emotions, while she paced 
the floor in a vain effort to control herself. 

“You will live to regret these words, Theo How- 
ard! You are the first man who has ever scorned 
me, and I shall see that such slurs are repaid with 
interest. You don’t know what is in store for you, 
or you would grovel in the dust at my feet for de- 
liverance.” 

At that she swept from the room with the air of 
an outraged queen. 


CHAPTER X. 

A BASH FOR FREEDOM, 

Theo Howard, in spite of his dreary surroundings 
and painful situation, in spite of the exciting adven- 
tures he had just passed through, soon fell asleep, 
and when he awoke the sun was well up in the heav- 
ens. 


BOB YOUNGEB’S FATE. 


61 


He found that his limbs were swollen and numb 
from contact with the cords which held him prisoner 
with remorseless and undiminished vigor. 

He at once began the attempt to free himself, but 
he might as well have desisted, for not one fraction 
of an inch did his bonds give way. 

A low, malicious laugh greeted his efforts ; he had 
had a witness to his futile struggles. 

“Try again, dear friend! You know the old 
maxim, ” and with these words Irene Trainer came 
into view. 

Theo made no answer. 

“I should have told you when we parted last 
night, though I was just a little too excited to think 
of doing so, that your quarters would be changed to- 
day, so as to allow you somewhat more freedom, 
with but little risk to ourselves ; so you see I am not 
wholly bad yet.” 

“Release me, and IT1 promise not to molest you.” 

“Why should I take such a step as would place us 
exactly on the same footing as we occupied prior to 
last evening? Oh, no! you may consider yourself a 
prisoner still.” 

“Hard-hearted woman !” 

“Hard-hearted man ! We are even on that score.” 

“There is something else back of your pretended 
love for me,” said Theo, suddenly. “No woman is 
going to make such a fool of herself all for love.” 

“There may be something else, possibly hate,” 
was the malicious reply. 

“I am convinced, despite your words, that I am 
the victim of a plot in which you are merely trying 
to hoodwink me by pretending a love of which you 
are incapable.” 

“What penetration !” 


62 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“Else why should you be satisfied with my con- 
duct as long as I was content to squander my money 
in drink and gaming at your house without mention- 
ing such a thing as love?” 

“A veritable Solomon for wisdom, but you have 
commenced to display it somewhat too late to be of 
any advantage to you.” 

“Too true, alas! but I can wait for the denoue- 
ment with such fortitude as I may possess.” 

“So be it; but the charm of your conversation has 
caused me to forget my errand. You are now to be 
removed to a different apartment, in which your 
bonds can be dispensed with, and your body given a 
freedom which will doubtless prove most welcome.” 

A knock on the door brought two men, who, with- 
out a word, lifted Theo and bore him away, followed 
by the girl. 

They passed through a hall, then traversed several 
chambers, and finally descended a dark flight of 
stairs, pausing at length before a grim looking door. 
This was opened, and the party entered. 

Theo was deposited on the damp and musty floor 
of the apartment, in which he was destined to pass 
many a weary and miserable day. 

The place was in almost total darkness, save a 
weak ray of light that struggled in through a small 
chink near the ceiling. 

“Loose him, boys, and make him as comfortable 
as you can,” said the Queen, with an aggravating 
smile, as she stood at the door. 

One of the men whipped out his knife, and a mo- 
ment later Theo was free. 

Why not make an attempt for liberty? 

The thought and the deed were almost simultane- 
ous. Lying perfectly still but for a second or two, 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


63 


until his blood should course through his. cramped 
limbs, he leaped to his feet. 

One of the desperadoes was between him and the 
door, fortunately for the prisoner, having his back 
turned. 

With an agile leap Theo grasped him by the 
throat, and tossed him against the wall with such 
terrific force as to knock him senseless. 

But he was not yet free, for the quick-witted girl, 
with a cry of warning, sprang outside, closed the 
door,, and bolted it just as Theo threw himself 
against it with full weight. 

His other opponent, a powerfully-built fellow, was 
now upon him, and a terrible struggle ensued be- 
tween them. 

The young cashier had not neglected his physical 
education, and although of a much lighter mold, he 
proved a full match for his burly antagonist. 

The latter was gradually getting the worst of the 
contest, when his partner, regaining his senses, 
took in the situation. 

Seizing the rung of a chair which had fallen apart 
from age, he crept close to the contestants, and 
brought it down with cruel force on Theo’s devoted 
head. 

The young man sank to the floor without a groan. 

“I’d like to do that again,” said the angry fellow, 
eying his weapon with a glow of satisfaction. 

“Never mind, Clell; remember our orders,” said 
the other. “Let’s leave him.” 

The couple knocked at the door, which was opened 
by Irene, after she was assured that the contest had 
terminated in their favor. 

“ ’Twas lucky, girl, that you were standing at the 
door,” said he who was called Clell, feeling ten- 


64 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


derly the spot on the side of his head which had 
come in contact with the wall ; “but I’m sorry you 
didn’t call out sooner. I’ll have the headache for a 
week now.” 

“He was a pretty tough nut to crack,” said the 
other, grimly. “I never saw so much muscle put up 
in so small a space before.” 

“You didn’t hurt him, Charlie,” said the girl, 
quickly. 

“Well, no; but if Clell hadn’t come to my aid, I 
reckon he’d have hurt me; so Clell tapped him on 
the cocoanut just hard enough to make him let go. 
Oh, he’s all right by this time. Come, Clell, let’s go 
and attend to our little affair now.” 

The two worthies walked away, followed by the 
Queen in thoughtful mood. 

Food was brought to the prisoner but once that 
day, though it was very substantial both in quality 
and amount. 

Theo attempted to open up a conversation with 
his jailer, having some hope that he might thereby 
stumble upon a clew to the real cause of his incar- 
ceration, but that worthy, who -had experienced a 
taste of our hero’s muscular powers, seemed in no 
mood whatever for measuring words with him. 
Clell cut him off gruffly, and soon retired. 

More days came, and with them promptly ap- 
peared Clell, who always brought a generous repast. 

“Get ready,” he said, as he went away on one oc- 
casion: “spruce up, for you are shortly to have a 
visitor.” 

A few minutes later Theo heard a trampling out- 
side the door, the bolts were drawn aside, and a 
party of four entered ; Irene, Clell and Charlie, the 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


65 


latter two having a person in charge who seemed to 
be very much in the same predicament as Theo. 

“Here is your visitor,’ ’ said Clell, in his usual 
tones. “Take a good look at him.” 

The Queen carried in her hand a small lamp, 
which seemed only to make the darkness more hide- 
ous. This she placed on a recess in the wall, and 
|then looked curiously at her prisoner. 

; If she expected signs of submission or dawning 
love, she read them not in his countenance; naught 
but indifference reigned there. 

“Stark!” exclaimed Theo, joyfully. “Why, old 
fellow, what’s up?” 

The latter exclamation was doubtless caused by 
the appearance of the new-comer. 

Stark, to all intents and purposes, had changed 
dreadfully within the last few days. 

His eyes had become sunken ; his cheeks looked 
cadaverous ; his form was no longer erect and ag- 
gressive, and he had the expression generally of a 
starving man. 

“Ask these men,” he replied, in a quavering 
voice. “They are the authors of all my misery.” 

“Tell him yourself, partner,” said the man who 
was called Charlie, in a brutal tone of voice. “Lay 
our terms before him.” 

“Never! I’ll starve to death first.” 

“We’ll tell him, then, in the course of time, and 
we’ll let you starve just the same, unless the young 
gentleman toes the scratch.” 

The Queen turned with the others, and left the 
room without a word ; not once had Theo looked 
upon her, and her heart was full of anger at his con- 
spicuous indifference. 


66 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Stark sank into the only chair the room afforded, 
and gave utterance to a sigh of misery. 

“I’m about done for, Theo,” he said. 

“Is it possible that they are starving you, or were 
the men simply perpetrating some horrible joke?” 

“Alas! it is only too true.” 

“What is their purpose?” 

“That I cannot tell you.” 

“You mean that you will not?” 

“I would rather not talk upon the subject.” 

“But it concerns me.” 

“Not enough to interest you one way or the other.” 

“It is your duty to tell me the whole story; at 
least, it will do no harm to let me have a full under- 
standing of the situation.” 

“It would work harm to you.” 

“In what way?” 

“Simply by playing upon your sympathy. There, 
now, I shall say no more. Let them do what they 
will, they shall never bend me to their plans.” 

It was in vain that Theo urged his companion to 
make known the plot their captors had formed ; Jul- 
ian was inflexible, and when his keeper came after 
him, he walked away as resolutely as his strength 
would permit. 

Clell winked knowingly as he remarked to Theo : 

“The young fellow’s game, but just about one 
more day will fetch him to time.” 


CHAPTER XI. 

THE DETECTIVE VISITS BOB YOUNGER. 

“Sam’s Place,” a saloon neither good nor bad in 
reputation as saloons go, was in a blaze of glory. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


67 


The bar was crowded with a miscellaneous assort- 
ment of men both in nationality and appearance, as 
well as in character. 

As the clock struck eleven a young man of fash- 
ion strolled into the saloon, and looked leisurely 
about him. 

A dainty mustache, a glass screwed to his eye, the 
cut of his clothes, all conspired to proclaim him a 
member of dudedom. 

A few remarks, complimentary and otherwise, 
were directed toward him by the loafers who had 
noticed his entrance, but he found it convenient to 
disregard them. 

His eye finally sighted the proprietor, and the 
next moment he bore down upon that functionary 
with the question, “Aw, cawn you show me to room 
number three, landlawd? Hawv an appointment to 
meet a pawty tha-ah at eleven.” 

Mine host observed his interlocutor from head to 
foot before answering him. 

The latter stood the scrutiny with heroic fortitude. 

“Haven’t made any mistake, stranger?” 

“Mistake? Oh, no; it’s all right, I assuah you.” 

“What name shall I give the other party?” 

“It’s of no consequence whatevah. Please show 
me to the room, and I shall be obliged to you.” 

“Very well, sir. This way.” 

The dude followed Sam up stairs, and was finally 
ushered into the desired apartment. 

“Hawv any pawties made inquiwies faw this room 
pwevious to me?” he asked, carefully placing his hat 
upon the table, and then seating himself. 

“None as yet.” 

“If any pusson awsks faw me or faw room num- 


68 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


ber three, which is just the same, bwing him to me 
at once.” 

The landlord paused at the door. 

“See here, stranger, is this all on the square? Re- 
member, I don’t want any monkey work.” 

/‘Squa-ah as a die, sir. ’Pon my honah, I assuah 
you it is, as far as I am indiwidually concerned, a 
mere evwy day appointment.” 

Mine host retired but half satisfied, not placing 
great stress evidently on the “honah” of his fash- 
ionable guest. 

Three minutes later the door was opened cau- 
tiously, and a feminine head appeared. 

“Is this room number three?” she inquired, in 
diffident tones. 

“Yes, my deah,” said the gallant young man, 
effusively, “come in and look awound.” 

“I’m afraid of you,” she said, pursing her lips. 

“Am I so f wightful looking as all that?” reproach- 
fully. 

“No, but you’ve got too much style for me.” 

“Weally, I like you-ah looks, ’mazing well, my 
deah. Do come in a little farth-ah anyhow. You-ah 
landlawd might discover you and waise a fuss.” 

The girl, emboldened by his persuasion, pushed 
the door open farther, and stood in full view. 

A coquettish mobcap placed jauntily on her curly 
head, supplemented by a short and plain but clean 
costume, proclaimed her occupation to be that of 
chambermaid. 

“Thank you, sir; but Sam isn’t my landlord.” 

“And you aw not a chambermaid?” 

“No.” 

“What the devil are you, then?” 

She gave a feminine shriek of horror. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


69 


“I’m afraid you are a bad, bad man! You’re an 
awful swearer/’ 

“Tell me what you want.” 

“Belton, the detective.” 

“Close the door, then.” 

The girl looked at him curiously as she complied 
with his order. 

“You’re not Belton.” 

“Yes, I am; but you’re not Bob Younger.” 

“Of course not. He did not dare come here.” 

“Ho more dangerous for him than for me.” 

“He was afraid you would have a force here to 
capture him.” 

“And I might have been afraid of foul play in 
coming to a place like this.” 

“Sam knows nothing of this meeting, at least 
from our side, and treachery could hardly be prac- 
ticed without connivance on his part,” 

Belton was convinced that such was the case. 

“What is your object in coming here?” 

“To make sure that you would be willing to meet 
him and come to some arrangements regarding the 
information of the robbery.” 

“I would understand from your remark and the 
tenor of the note I received that he was concerned in 
the affair.” 

“Before I answer that question I must state that 
you are not acting out your character of gallant.” 

“Why?” 

“You haven’t even asked me to be seated.” 

“Sure enough. How thoughtless of me ! Be kind 
enough to take this chair.” 

He purposely placed it so that she would be seated 
with her back to the door, for he was determined if 
treachery were intended that she should have no 


70 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


part in it. Then he took his stand in front of her, 
so that he could easily see any one approach the 
door from the outside. 

“Now proceed with your answer.” 

“Bob Younger is a member of the gang that 
robbed the Fidelity Bank.” 

“He wishes to blow on his pals?” 

“Yes ; he claims that they had a dispute about the 
division of the money, and that a dreadful quarrel 
followed, in which the rest combined against him. 
Naturally he seeks revenge, provided he will be 
freed from any participation in the matter.” 

“Does he mean to turn State’s evidence?” 

“No. He wouldn’t live two days if he should do 
that. His idea is to give information concerning 
the plans and whereabouts of the gang, and there- 
upon leave the country before any arrests are 
made.” 

“How many were there in the party?” 

“I am allowed to tell you no more.” 

“You seem greatly interested in this man.” 

The girl blushed. 

“I hardly see how that need concern you,” she 
said, with some spirit. 

“But it does. I dislike to see any pretty young 
girl like you deliberately throw herself away on a 
scoundrel and desperado such as this fellow ap- 
pears to be.” 

“Oh, but you don’t know Bob,” she cried,' enthusi- 
astically; “he’s not so bad as you imagine, and 
then,” she added, softly, “he loves me.” 

“Deluded woman! how long will such affection 
last?” 

“Always! Ah, sir, will you not agree to meet 
him?” 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


71 


“I’m afraid not, girl, unless he will consent to 
surrender himself.” 

She clasped her hands on the detective’s arm, and 
looked pleadingly into his face, the tears welling up 
into her eyes. 

“Can nothing move you? Let me plead with 
you.” 

“It is useless.” 

Her arms slipped suddenly about his neck in her 
earnestness. 

Belton was a man of iron. Accustomed to 
women’s wiles, he felt that he was proof against 
their allurements, and he was. But the girl, in spite 
of his watchfulness, had accomplished her purpose. 
He imagined that danger, if danger existed, would 
be guarded against by watching the door carefully, 
and scarcely a moment during their conversation 
had his eyes left it ; but this little by-play , had dis- 
tracted his attention from other points, and the 
noise the girl mdfie in her emotion, real or other- 
wise, prevented his hearing the door of the wardrobe 
directly behind him open. 

The figure of a man disguised, with a heavy beard, 
stepped forth softly. In his hand was clutched a 
sandbag, evidently for the purpose of silencing his 
intended victim. 

Three noiseless strides he took, and the weapon 
came down with a faint thud. 

Belton’s head dropped forward, and his body rolled 
to the floor. 

A moment later a pair of handcuffs encircled his 
wrists, and a cord bound his ankles. Then the dis- 
guised man and his accomplice stood aside to await 
the return to consciousness. 


72 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


“Well done, my noble queen; you were certainly 
born for the stage.” 

“Thank you for the compliment. Now we’ll see 
what you can do.” 

Belton soon gave signs of returning animation, 
and when he fully realized his situation, he gave 
vent to a good-humored laugh. 

“Hoodwinked, by Jove! And a woman at the bot- 
tom of it, too. There are some sharp females, 
though, and that chambermaid is one of ’em. 
Hello! here yet?” as his eye fell upon the Queen. “I 
was just wondering why you didn’t kill me while 
you were at the job.” 

“Give us time ; we are not through with you yet.” 

“Better hurry up, then, for I’m liable to slip away 
any moment. If I do, your cake is dough. Ahoy 
there, Mr. Pirate,” as he noticed the man for the 
first time; “you must be feeling in pretty good 
shape to-night, judging from that tap you gave me.” 

“You certainly display much levity for a man in 
your serious situation,” was the deep-toned answer. 

“Oh, come, now,” said Belton, plaintively. “Don’t 
impose on me that way. I’m not in a position to 
stand much of that kind of thing. Use your natural 
voice, for it will save you much trouble, and won’t 
make me any the wiser. I’ve never seen your ugly 
mug before, and I know I’ve never heard that 
voice till this minute.” 

“We have a little business with you.” 

“So I suppose. You’ve transacted some of it al- 
ready, haven’t you?” 

“That was necessary” 

“You’d better finish before you release me.” 

“We expect to, but how it will terminate depends 
much on the character of the answers you give.” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


73 


“Fire away. Put question number one to me.” 

“You visited the cemetery to-night?” 

“Easily answered. Yes.” 

“You made a discovery.” 

“A what?” 

“A discovery.” 

“Oh, yes; we discovered something very strange.” 

“What was that?” 

“A dead corpse!” 

“A truce to your nonsense. What did you open 
the grave for?” 

“The fact is, Miss Ferry desired it. She can’t get 
it into her head — couldn’t, rather — that her lover 
was dead.” 

“She is now satisfied?” 

“She is. I did my best to convince her that it was 
really Howard who was buried there, but the unfor- 
tunate girl was so crazed with grief and despair 
that nothing less than disinterment would satisfy 
her. Poor thing! She’s more than convinced now. ” 

“You are on thb track of the burglars?” 

“No, not exactly; just trying to get there.” 

“Are you to be bought off?” 

“Can you restore Theo Howard to life?” 

“Come, now; every man has his price. What is 
yours?” 

“You waste time in attempting to bribe me. My 
answer, once for all, is, restore everything to its 
normal condition before the robbery, and I’ll desist 
from my task. As you know that to be an impossi- 
bility, you are at liberty to draw your own conclu- 
sions.” 

“You are not afraid of death?” 

“Oh, that doesn’t trouble me in the least. You 
are not going to do murder in a place like this, and 


74 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


you know that ; so you may as well allow me to go. ” 
“Let me warn you again. You are running 
against a combination much more powerful than 
you have any idea of, and if this friendly admoni- 
tion is disregarded, our next move will be a most de- 
cisive one. Your life will be the forfeit.” 

“Very well, I shall hold up my end.” 

“Be on your guard, then. You were brought here 
simply for the purpose of being warned, and you 
will perform the wisest act of your life by doing as 
we tell you. We go now, and you can doubtless 
secure your release in a very easy manner, giving 
what explanation you please.” 

The next moment the couple had disappeared. 


CHAPTER XII. 

BELTON AND THE JANITOR. 

“Umbrellies to mend! Umbrellies to mend!” 
were the words that came from an unmistakably 
Irish throat. 

A merry son of the Emerald Isle was picking his 
way along the alley by the side of the Fidelity Bank, 
from time to time uttering the cry of his trade, in- 
terspersed with an occasional half -muttered, half- 
sung melody of his native land. 

The fellow was evidently drunk, and a policeman 
some distance away was debating the propriety or 
impropriety of locking him up until such time as he 
could walk in a comparatively straight line. 

By dint of persistent effort, however, the man of 
umbrellas succeeded in progressing forward until 
he reached the side or basement door of the bank, 
which he found open. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


75 


Grasping the frame with both hands, he steadied 
himself, and peered into the gloomy entrance. 

“Any umbrellies to mend?” he howled. “Hello, 
you son of a gun!” he added, as he observed the 
janitor frowning at him. 

“Fwhat the divil are yez callin’ me?” inquired 
that functionary, raising his broom with the evi- 
dent intention of making a rush at his adversary 
should the latter become too abusive. 

“I called yez a son of a gun; are ye now satisfied, 
ye spalpeen.” 

“Come in here,” shouted Hayes, in a fit of anger, 
“and I’ll spile yer face for yez!” 

The janitor was a brave man, but he was not anx- 
ious to figure in a street brawl ; hence his invitation 
to enter. 

“Bedad, that’s fwhat I’ll do,” said the other, and 
slamming the door, he started toward his doughty 
opponent, but his pack of umbrellas suddenly be- 
came detached and scattered in every direction, a 
particularly obstreperous one getting between his 
f et with the final effect that the owner went 
sprawling. 

The next moment Hayes had pounced upon him, 
and held him a prisoner. 

“How,” cried he, in triumphant tones, “I’m goin’ 
to spile yer face! Ho, begorra, I can’t do that; it 
was spiled in the makin’!” he added, on closer in- 
spection. 

“Let me up, and upon me soul I’ll forgive yez,” 
said the drunken man. “Say, now, me jewel, I’ve 
a drop of the crayther in me insoide pocket, do ye 
moind, and ye shall have it— some of it, I mane,” he 
added, hurriedly, as an amendment to his extraordi- 
nary generosity. 


76 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Hayes’ one weakness was a love of whisky, and 
his vanquished foe could not have obtained his re- 
lease so quickly in any other way. 

He, however, satisfied himself first that the flask 
existed otherwise than in the imagination of the 
umbrella mender before he allowed him to be on 
terms of equality with himself. 

“Bedad, this is better nor fightin’,” suggested the 
stranger, taking a swig of the liquor in turn. 

“I didn’t want to fight,” said Hayes, with dig- 
nity; “I was only protectin’ the property of me em- 
ployers.” 

“And it is Moike Murphy as is the most peaceable 
man in the world. Didn’t we both make a mishtake 
that toime?” 

“I was protectin’ the bank,” insisted Hayes. 

“Yis, and ye got along better nor one other night 
two wakes ago,” with a horrible grin. 

The janitor’s face suddenly sobered. 

“Ah, me! That was a terrible affair. I’ll niver 
fergit it, niver!” 

“Ye laid for hours bound loike a criminal, I 
hear.” 

“Faith, so I did, bad luck to the thavin’ ras- 
cals!” 

“Did they wear masks?” 

“Did they? That I doan’t know, seein’ as I didn’t 
lay me eyes on aven wan of thim.” 

“You seen the young cashier, thin?” 

“Oh, yis, and heard him, too. Ay, but the poor 
crayther was in a good humor that night with his 
singin’ and his whistlin’. I jist said to mesilf, sez 
I, ‘Tommy, the cashier’s had a letter from his 
swateheart,’ and so I belave he had.” 

“Then ye are sure ye seen him*?” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


77 


“Seen him with me two eyes. Av coorse I did. 
Didn't he go apast me through this very dure?” 

“Think now, me frind; did ye see his face?” 

Hayes scratched his head, which was now becom- 
ing somewhat addled under the influence of the 
liquor he had absorbed. 

“Well, now, whin I come to think, I doan’t be- 
lave I did see his face, because, doan’t you see, jist 
as he passed me he took out his handkerchief, and 
give a big blast with his nose loud enough to awake 
the siven slapers ; but the same hat, the same coat, 
the same pantaloons, all was there, and by the same 
token, Tommy Hayes would be willin’ to oidentify 
him by an affidavit ony time. But why do you ask?” 

“Begob, and didn’t I know the lad mesilf? 
Haven’t I dandled him on me knee when he was 
only so high? Don’t I want to know all about me 
little frind? That’s why I ask,” and the mender of 
umbrellas seemed on the point of dissolving into 
tears. 

“ ’Twas a sad blow to all on us,” mused the other. 

“And ye’ve niver found ony thing to detict the 
murderers?” 

“Ho; but moind ye, there’s a great hid workin’ on 
the case, a foine detictive, who’ll ferret out the mys- 
tery if ony one will.” 

“Who wears this great hid you’re talkin’ about?” 

“Mr. Belton’s the man.” 

“Look onything loike me?” 

Hayes gave a sniff of contempt. 

“Ye’ve no modesty, man. Yez couldn’t live in 
the same day with him.” 

“Thank ye for your good opinion, sor. I always 
thought I was handsome, but ye’re the first wan 
who iver told me so.” 


78 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


The janitor stared at him with a perplexed air. 

“Jist say that again, will yez? Seems to me I’ve had 
a quare lot of visitors the day, onyhow. Farst one 
comes to me and sez, ‘Did ye see Mr. Howard that 
noight,’ and sez I, ‘Yis;’ then sez he, ‘Air ye sure?’ 
and I sez, ‘Yis, sure.’ And who should come along 
nixt but yer own drunken silf, and sez ye, ‘Did ye 
see Mr. Howard’s face?’ And sez I, ‘Av coorse I 
did,’ and then yer impident enough to say, ‘Air ye 
sure?’ Now, what does this mane?” bringing his 
fist down on the table with resounding force. 

“Tommy, can you keep a secret?” asked the 
other, dropping his brogue, a fact that the janitor 
noticed immediately, and seemed greatly alarmed 
thereby. 

He was on the point of instant flight when his 
companion said, in low but hurried tones : 

“I’m Belton myself. If you want to help matters 
on to a discovery, calm yourself, and act in a per- 
fectly natural manner. You must not tell anybody 
that I have been here to-day.” 

“Sure an’ I won’t. I’ve forgotten it already.” 

“That’s good. Now tell me what the man was like 
who asked you the same questions as I?” 

“Oh, he was only a Dutchman, but, begorra, when 
I come to think how noicely ye fooled me, I 
wouldn’t now care to take oath that he was man or 
baste.” 

“How long is it since he was here?” 

“Half an hour.” 

“What!” 

“Jist what I said— half an hour.” 

“When did he leave?” 

“He didn’t lave at all, as far as I know.” 

“Where did he go, then?” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


79 


“He axed lave to lay down in the corner there for 
a nap, as he was very slapv, and to tell the troot, he 
gave me a drop loike yerself; so I told him he 
might, seein’ as I was goin’ to stay in the room ; 
but whin you come in with yer drunken antics I 
forgot all about the Dutchman/’ 

Belton glanced keenly around the room, but the 
Dutchman had disappeared. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

THE GERMAN TIN PEDDLER. 

Myra Ferry was seated in her home, a prey to the 
most terrible anxiety. She had no confidant but the 
detective with whom she might share her hopes 
and fears, because it was Belton’s desire that no 
one outside of themselves should know of the discov- 
ery that they had made. 

In his long experience he had found that while 
two may keep a secret, three seldom can, so Myra’s 
parents were not possessed of any other idea than 
that Theo Howard occupied the grave marked by 
his name. 

While the girl was thus sadly musing, she heard 
the door-bell ring, and later a servant brought her a 
card engraved with Julian Stark’s name. A flush 
came into her face, while her teeth were set firmly 
as she said : 

“Admit him.” 

For the next few moments the girl had a terrible 
struggle to keep her emotions within bounds, but 
when Julian Stark was ushered into her presence 
she was perfectly calm. 

“A sad meeting, Miss Myra,” said her caller, feel- 


80 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


ingly, as he bowed over her hand. “I call it so, be- 
cause, knowing how intimate we were, you cannot 
help recalling associations of poor Theo.” 

If ever Myra had felt the necessity of acting a 
part it was certainly now, and she bent herself to 
the task. 

Raising her handkerchief to her eyes ostensibly 
for the purpose of concealing her feeling, she re- 
plied : 

“Yes, but I am glad to see you in spite of that. 
Many of his last hours must have been spent with 
you, and I would be glad to talk with you about his 
doings after I left for Europe.” 

“I would gladly accommodate you in that regard, 
Miss Myra ; but had we better not postpone the talk 
until some future time? You are not looking well, 
and for me to bring up subjects of so dear yet sor- 
rowful a nature, would be a rather impolitic as well 
as impudent proceeding.” 

“Perhaps you are right,” sighed Myra. 

The half hour that followed was really a very 
pleasant one. Stark was a very fluent talker, and 
he passed rapidly from one topic to another, always 
using the utmost tact in avoiding any reference to 
her unfortunate lover ; and when he took his depart- 
ure it was with an invitation to make her another 
call. 

When Myra returned from the door to the room 
she had lately occupied, she found a visitor comfort- 
ably installed in an arm-chair. 

He was of ample proportions, # and had the unde- 
niable air of the Fatherland. 

“What are you doing here?” cried Myra, in sur- 
prise. 

“Mine frent, I haf shust dropped in a leetle viles.” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


81 


“Who showed you up here?” wondering if she 
had not a lunatic on her hands. 

“Mine own self. I knows dot de serfants haf all 
been busy, and I shust shlipped in here to make 
mine business mit you ocquainted all py ourself s.” 

“What do you want?” 

“I haf as fine a collection of tin pans, tin puckets, 
tin tins, in short, a full line of tins down in der pack 
yard as any one vould vish to see ; unt I vould like 
to show em mit you.” 

“Oh, no; I don’t want any such articles to-day.” 

“No artick-les to-day? Yen vill you wants ’em?” 

“Not at all. How long have you been here?” 

“Half an hour.” 

“What?” 

“Shust vot I said. Dot young shentlemans vos a 
fine shbeaker, ain’t he?” rolling his eyes in admira- 
tion. “Yen I vas in Yaterland, ach, mine Yater- 
land! I vas shust such a shbeaker,” and his head 
sunk for a moment, in recollection of his once happy 
German days. 

Myra looked at her stolid visitor curiously for a 
short space of time, and then clapped her hands in 
girlish glee. 

“Ah, Mr. Belton! for once you have failed.” 

The man looked up in alarm. 

“Yat is das?” 

“You are Belton, the detective.” 

“Oh, I acknowledge it, Miss Myra; you 'are about 
as quickwitted as any of them.” 

“No; I wouldn’t have recognized you at all if it 
hadn’t been for one thing. When you told me you 
had been here for half an hour, it occurred to me 
that you must have been hiding, and naturally 
came the thought that a simple German would have 


82 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


no object in thus concealing himself, so I attributed 
it to you at once. When I suspected you, of course 
certain peculiar familiarities of style were brought 
to my attention, but you are certainly most cleverly 
disguised.” 

“We are sure of having no listeners here?” 

“Perfectly; but are you certain you obtained en- 
trance without detection?” 

“Yes; I took good care of that.” 

“Has anything new been discovered?” 

“No, nothing particular ; but I’ll tell you my ob- 
ject in coming here to-day. I wished to ascertain if 
Stark were identical with a certain gentleman I 
met last night. This I thought I could determine 
by listening to the tone of his natural voice while 
in conversation with you.” 

“Are you willing to impart the result of your dis- 
covery to me?” 

“I am proud to say that you are the only woman 
beside my own wife to whom I would be willing to 
intrust any of my secrets. We two are working to- 
gether for a purpose, and you have shown such ex- 
cellent tact and judgment that nothing shall be 
kept from you. After I left you last night I received 
a note requesting a meeting with one of the sup- 
posed robbers, and in order to get on the track of 
the gentlemen, I went to the place of appointment, 
and met instead a young woman, who engaged me 
in conversation. The next thing I knew some one 
had rapped me over the head hard enough to lay 
me out senseless. When I recovered I observed a 
masked man present also, who attempted to buy me 
off. Finding that impossible, he resorted to threats, 
all his conversation being earned on in an assumed 
tone of voice. Certain of feis peculiar intonations 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


83 


and inflections which no one can get rid of, made 
me morally certain that should I hear the man use 
his ordinary mode of speech, under any favorable 
circumstances, I would be able to recognize it in- 
stantly. 

‘ ‘Assuming this costume, I began to shadow Stark 
with the idea of connecting him with the robbery. 
I was surprised to find him heading your way, but 
was glad that such was the case, because I knew I 
would have a good chance to listen. Slipping in at 
the door, I succeeded in getting behind that curtain 
while your back s were turned, and there I sat dur- 
ing your whole conversation. You are the best act- 
ress I’ve seen for many a day, Miss Ferry.” 

“But what discovery did you make?” asked the 
girl, eagerly. 

“He’s the man !” 

“How?” 

“There isn’t the least doubt in my mind that the 
disguised fellow who laid me out last night and Ju- 
lian Stark are the- same persons.” 

“Isn’t that awful !” 

“Not such dreadful news as we may hear yet. 
I have reason to believe that there is a desperate 
band concerned in this thing, and that it is well or- 
ganized. The members evidently are determined to 
keep track of affairs, for, as an instance, one of 
them this morning visited the bank in disguise, and 
tried to pump the janitor. He didn’t succeed very 
well, from the fact that Hayes doesn’t seem to know 
much more about the circumstances of the case 
than the merest stranger.” 

“Have you formed any plans for the future?” 

“None except to watch and wait. That is the kind 
of game it will turn out to be. An expert detective 


84 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


will be placed at once on Stark’s track, and if the 
gentleman succeeds in shaking off his shadow he 
will be remarkably bright. With all this we must 
be exceedingly cautious, for did they suspect us to 
be possessed of such information as we have, our 
lives would not be worth a moment’s purchase 
were we so unfortunate as to fall into their hands.” 

“But what of the girl — did you make any discov- 
eries concerning her?” 

“To tell the truth, I have not tried. She will be 
very easily hunted up, though. If Stark is the thor- 
oughly bad man we have reason to believe, he must 
have associates in this town whom he will be 
obliged to go to some time or other ; and this girl is 
undoubtedly one of them. I intend to hunt her up 
to-day, and while she was in a measure disguised 
last night, I don’t believe I shall have any trouble 
recognizing her, provided, of course, that I am for- 
tunate enough to lay my eyes on the female. In the 
meantime, Miss Myra, don’t forget to be cautious. 
Remember that your safety just now is the principal 
thing, for in trying to save one person we run the 
risk of losing two. I shall take care to communicate 
with you frequently, either in person or by message, 
and don’t be surprised to see me turn up under any 
disguise whatever.” 


CHAPTER XIV. 

THE TIN PEDDLER EXPLORING. 

A daintily dressed lady was crossing Monroe street 
westward. 

A stolid German was standing on the opposite 
side, seemingly in a quandary whether to cross 
eastward or continue down street. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


85 


A meerschaum pipe, from which issued a lazy 
stream of smoke, decorated his mouth, while' a pack 
of tin utensils adorned his ample back. 

The woman’s eye fell upon him carelessly in an 
incomprehensive glance, and then took in points of 
greater interest farther on. 

Not so with the German. At the first look he al- 
most dropped his pack, under the influence of some 
emotion. 

“By shimmy crickets, vat a handsome vomans 
dot vos,” he muttered, in admiration. “Shust like 
mine Katrina, plump enough, big enough, leedle 
enough. Ach, mine lady ! I dink I shall keep you 
in mine vision.” 

He seemed now to have settled upon his course. 
Crossing the street, he meandered slowly on his 
way, now glancing vacantly at the signs overhead, 
now peering into the show windows, but not losing 
sight of^the beautiful lady for one moment. 

Finally she disappeared in a store, and the Ger- 
man suddenly discovered that his pipe needed re- 
plenishing. Placing his pack upon the sidewalk, 
he very deliberately drew a pouch of tobacco from 
his pocket. 

“Mine pipe goes out mit itselluf too often. I haf 
some notions of trowing it away ; it begins to schmell 
so strong. Now, my leedle match, vare vas you? 
Ach, dot vas a bad von ; let us try anoder times.” 

Half a dozen matches were sacrificed before a 
satisfactory light was produced; then, taking a 
dozen puffs with the utmost satisfaction, he began to 
examine his utensils, whisking off imaginary parti- 
cles of dust here, and putting a refractory pan under 
subjection there. 

By this time the lady had again appeared on the 


86 


BOB YOUNGEIt’S FATE. 


sidewalk, and giving a sharp glance up and down 
the street, she proceeded on her way. 

“A sharp vimmens, I’ll bet a glass of lager,” the 
German soliloquized as he once again shouldered 
his merchandise. “Now, I’ll shust wager mine pack 
against a penny she vas lookin’ for me, but, by shim- 
my crickets, she didn’t see me.” 

He had fallen behind considerably, and was not a 
little alarmed to find that she had suddenly turned 
the next corner, and disappeared. 

Quickening his pace he arrived at the spot, and to 
his relief descried her in the distance. A few mo- 
ments later she ascended a pair of steps, and en- 
tered a house. 

“So, dot is vare mine beauty lives? Sare goot! I 
shall try to sell her somedings after aviles.” 

He now began to enter, in a systematic way, every 
house on the square, and made strenuous efforts to 
sell his wares. Not meeting with flattering success, 
he gradually approached the point of interest he 
constantly had in view. 

Entering the side gate, he made his way to the 
back yard, where he expected to find the hired help, 
and to his apparent delight he encountered a bloom- 
ing German girl busily engaged in washing some 
clothing. 

He stood watching her vigorous motions as if 
fascinated by the picture, and when she suddenly 
looked up from her work there was an idiotic grin 
on his countenance that the girl attributed to 
speechless admiration. 

She blushed most becomingly, and made an effort 
to pull down her sleeves a trifle. 

“Don’t do dot,” said the other, earnestly, advanc- 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


87 


in g a step. “Forgif me, but you look shust like a 
picture, und a very handsome von at dot.” 

There was considerable of the coquette in the girl 
despite her unromantic occupation. 

“You don’d must talk to me dot vay.” 

“Und vy should I not, ven I tells der troot?” 

“Vat do you vant here?” 

The German gave his pack a rattle. 

“Fm after der pennies. May I not sell you some- 
dings?^ 

“>To.” 

“May I not gif you somedings?” with what was 
intended for a most charming smile. 

“Vat?” 

“A kiss!” 

The girl was surpised for a moment out of her 
adopted tongue, and answered in unmistakable, 
half-angry German : 

“Neii G” 

“Ach, mine gracious! mine gracious! Nine of 
’em. Von is more than I expected, but I’ll take ’em,” 
and dropping his wares he smacked his lips with 
great gusto, extended his arms, and made a rush at 
his buxom charmer. 

At that moment another servant, attracted by the 
noise, came to the door, and looked with surprise, 
then amusement, at the scene; but the awkward 
foreigner, detected in his intended treat, dropped 
his arms to his side, and looked down in confusion. 

“Go ahead, Dutchy,” said the spectator, flip- 
pantly; “I want to seethe circus. Katrina won’t 
hurt you.” 

But “Dutchy” apparently had enough, for he went 
slowly back to his tins and his buckets. 

Katrina, suddenly emboldened by the presence of 


88 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


a third party, even went so far as to approach the 
peddler, and offer her assistance in rearranging his 
stock. 

“No, you can gif me no hellup,” he said, sullenly. 

Katrina laughed good-naturedly. 

“If at first you don’d git along, dry, dry again. 
Ain’t dot it?” 

The man’s eyes brightened. 

“Dot vas so. Shall I come to-night?” 

“If you vant to. Don’t tell nobody, dough,” she 
said, in an undertone. 

After a few more whispered words the pack 
seemed in its normal condition, and with an awk- 
ward bow to his adored and the laughing female 
standing in the doorway, the peddler made the best 
of his way to the street. 

That night, shortly after dusk, the figure of the 
vender of tinware might have been seen skulking 
about the back yard in the alley. 

He had not been there many minutes, however, 
when the gate was cautiously opened by the fair 
Katrina, and “Yawcob,” as he called himself, was 
admitted. 

She was the only one of the kitchen help who was 
at home that evening, and was consequently able to 
take her new found acquaintance to that part of the 
house. 

Yawcob soon found himself installed in a comfort- 
able chair, while Katrina sat near and entertained 
him in the best way of which she was capable. It 
would probably not be interesting to relate all of 
their conversation, or even to detail it in their pe- 
culiar style of utterance, but such facts as properly 
belong to our story are now given. 

“You enjoy living here?” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


89 


“Oh, yes; I have been here a long time, and my 
mistress treats me well.” 

“What is her name?” 

“Miss Trainer.” 

“Young?” 

“Yes.” 

“Handsome?” 

It would be difficult to describe Katrina’s expres- 
sion at this question. 

“A wonderfully pretty woman. I never saw one 
like her.” 

“Does she have much company?” 

“A great deal; and how they all enjoy themselves 
with their games !” 

“Has she a notion of getting married?” 

“It doesn’t seem so, although she has a great 
many admirers.” 

“Whq seem to be favorites with her?” and the 
heart of the questioner began to beat a trifle faster. 

“That is hard for me to tell, as I was never pres- 
ent at any of their frivolities, but I have heard the 
other servants talk, and they seem to think that two 
men who are mostly always together seem to have 
the preference.” 

“Don’t you remember their names?” 

“Ho; I never thought enough about them, and I 
know my mistress wouldn’t have me discuss her 
private affairs. If she heard of such a thing I 
wouldn’t get to stay here long.” 

“All right, then; we won’t talk about her. Who 
was that pretty girl who was watching us to-day?” 

Katrina felt piqued at the praise bestowed upon 
a fellow servant, and quickly changed the subject, 
coming back of her own accord to her mistress. 


90 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“I saw one of those two men once. He was young 
and very handsome, and he spoke to me.” 

“When was he here last?” in his turn showing 
symptoms of the green-eyed monster. 

“Two or three weeks ago, hut,” with a mournful 
shake of her head, “he will come no more.” 

“Why? Did she give him the mitten?” 

“Oh, no! I have heard that he is dead. He was 
killed in some bank robbery.” 

“And you have never seen him since?” 

“Of course not; how could I when he is dead?” 

It was evident, then, that unless the girl was in 
collusion with her mistress, a fact which, under the 
circumstances, seemed very improbable, Theo, if 
alive, had never been brought into that house; he 
must be sought elsewhere. 

“Does the other man still come?” 

“Sometimes, but I have never seen him.” 

Suddenly Yawcob leaped to his feet, apparently 
terror-stricken. 

“Some von is cornin’,” he said, in stage whispers, 
“vare shall we hide?” 

Katrina hesitated a moment, as if wishing to in- 
vestigate for herself, but the peddler pushed her 
toward a cupboard which he noticed was fastened 
with a catch, and a strong one at that. 

“Let’s get in the cupboard,” he urged. “Ho one 
will see us there,” and without further ceremony he 
pushed her in. 

Producing a murderous looking knife about a 
foot long from some mysterious portion of his 
anatomy, he brandished it before her frightened 
vision. 

“Katrina,” he remarked, solemnly, “vill you lif 
or die?” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


91 


The girl would have sunk on her knees had the 
contracted space permitted. 

“Oh, let me lif ! Yat haf I done to you?” 

“Vat haf you not done? I shall murder him!” the 
utmost malignity depicted on his ugly countenance. 

“Yat mean you?” almost ready to faint with ter- 
ror as the dreaded knife came dangerously near 
her. 

“You haf a lover concealed somevares in this 
house. Yos dos not so?” 

“Ah, no. You mistake; dere is none.” 

But Yawcob was not satisfied. 

“You shust must stay in there until I shall look 
for mine selluf. So hellup me gracious, if you move 
before I come back, I shall you split from head to 
der foot mit mine knife.” 

The girl, certain that he would find no rival of 
hers in the building, joyfully gave her promise not 
to stir until he came back, in hope that his terrible 
knife would be taken away ; so shutting the door 
with a snap that showed the prisoner would be able 
to get out only with outside assistance, Yawcob re- 
placed his weapon, and cautiously took his stand at 
the entrance to the dining-room. 

There he waited for some indication on the part 
of Katrina to break out of her prison, but finding 
everything quiet in that quarter, he proceeded on 
his tour of exploration. 


CHAPTER XY. 

SCHEMING FOR A FORTUNE. 

Another solitary and gloomy day had passed with 
the prisoner in the old stone house. 


92 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Sorrowfully, for want of something better to do, 
he watched the daylight peep through the little 
chink overhead, now timidly in the early dawn, 
now more boldly at the noontime, and then die away 
altogether at the coming of night. 

No more terrible punishment can be inflicted upon 
a man than to place him in solitary confinement, 
with no means to pass away the time except in com- 
munion with his own thoughts. 

Toward evening of this day, however, Clell, who 
seemed to have been constituted his guardian, came 
into the room, and said : 

“Stark wishes to see you.” 

“Well, bring him in.” 

“He can’t come.” 

“Is he sick?” 

“He isn’t able to walk; guess he’s about on his 
last legs. Anyhow, he wants you to go to him.” 

“Very well, I’m ready.” 

“But you must have these handcuffs put on you.” 

Theo submitted for the sake of his friend, and was 
then led up the dark stairs and along the hall, at the 
end of which they paused before a door. 

When they entered the room Theo was horrified 
to observe the sunken cheeks and generally debili- 
tated condition of his friend. 

The light was dim, and the young man was not 
able to see distinctly, but it was evident that, judg- 
ing from Stark’s appearance, he was not long for 
this world. He was lying on a rough cot in the 
corner, moaning feebly as Theo entered, but he half 
arose from his recumbent position as he noticed his 
visitor. 

“Theo, I am rejoiced to see you. I didn’t expect 
to meet you again,” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


93 


“Are the fiends still resolved to starve you into 
submission?’’ asked Theo, as he started toward the 
bedside. 

Clell stepped in front of him. 

“You are near enough, my friend. Talk where 
you are,” and with that admonition he retired to 
the door. 

“They have brought me to terms at last,” said 
Stark, feebly. “I have starved too long already, 
and am finally forced to tell you what they require 
of me.” 

“Don’t hesitate,” said Howard, warmly. “You 
know I urged you to tell me all the last time I saw 
you.” 

“But you have no idea how much it will humili- 
ate me to say a word. Oh, I cannot!” 

“You must tell me everything these men want. I 
take it that they require a sacrifice from me, and 
even should I think myself unable to make it, the 
mere statement of their demands will do no harm.” 

Stark hesitated* but as if making up his mind to 
get through as soon as possible with a most dis- 
agreeable task, he began hurriedly : 

“You owe me some money.” 

“I believe I do; some twenty-five or thirty dol- 
lars.” 

“These men, in order to legitimize a robbery, 
wish that debt to be increased to a hundred thou- 
sand dollars.” 

Theo stared at the sick man as if he believed him 
crazy. 

“How do they know that I owe you anything?” 
an indefinite suspicion entering his mind for the 
first time. 

Stark smiled sadly. 


94 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“Where was that debt incurred?” 

“At the Queen’s, of course. I borrowed the money 
from you there. Ah, I believe I see your point ; you 
mean to infer that she witnessed the transaction, 
and reported it to these men, who are keeping within 
the letter of the law by making me pay my debts, 
yet increasing them a thousand fold. They are very 
conscientious concerning other people’s obliga- 
tions.” 

“Of course it is a mere -whim. They would have 
made the same demand anyhow.” 

“I understand that; now tell me in what way you 
are concerned in this matter.” 

“That is the humiliating part of it for me.” 

“But you must not hesitate on that account.” 

“Very well, I will not; you are heir to a hundred 
thousand dollars.” 

Theo gave vent to a whistle of surprise. 

“I’ll believe that when I see the money.” 

“I guess it is true. I wish you were as certain of 
getting it as you are of being justly entitled to it.” 

“How do you know of this fact, if fact it is?” 

“These men have told me.” 

“And they expect to get the money through you?” 

“That is the state of affairs exactly.” 

“They have starved you into asking me to pay 
you all this money?” 

“Yes.” 

“And then they will pocket it?” 

Stark nodded. 

“Why don’t they starve me into signing it over to 
them?” 

“I suppose they think you would die first.” 

“A correct supposition. But they imagine that in 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


95 


order to save my friend’s life I would part with all 
my money?” 

“That seems to be their idea.” 

“A most ingenious plot, truly. How am I to make 
this over to you?” 

Clell here interposed. 

“Here is the document you are required to sign,” 
said he, presenting a paper. 

Howard seized it, and glanced over the contents, 
which were after this style, with the omission of the 
date: 

“For value received, one month after date, I 
promise to pay Julian Stark, or order, one hundred 
thousand dollars, without interest.” 

A blank space was left for the filling in of Theo’s 
name. 

“How are you to get the money, Julian?” 

“Oh, I’ll never get it. You see I’m to fill out an 
order tp pay the above amount to some one, say 
Irene Trainer, who will take care that it is collected 
before we are allowed our liberty. Of course, when 
once they get the money into their hands, they will 
have no further use for us.” 

“This has been a splendid venture for us all 
around,” said Theo, bitterly. 

“Yes, and I am afraid it has been all my fault. 
Of course I have lost everything, but I had no par- 
ticularly happy future to look forward to like you, 
and hence may be said to have lost less.” 

“You are aware as to how it happened?” 

“Oh, yes; such villains couldn’t rest without re- 
hearsing the details of the plot to me.” 

“But what became of Scott?” 

“He is likewise detained as a prisoner, for they 
know they wouldn't be safe a moment were one of 


96 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


us to be at large ; so you, he, and I will be held un- 
til their plans are consummated. ” 

“They had better make an end of me instead of 
freeing me,” said Theo, significantly. “If ever I 
escape from this place I’ll devote my whole life to 
bringing the criminals to justice before one of them 
shall escape.” 

Stark sighed. 

“I am too far gone to think of vengeance, but 
wickedness will not go unpunished long.” 

Clell thought it best to interfere at this juncture. 

“See here; you fellows have talked about long 
enough to have settled that matter by this time. 
Have you persuaded him to save your life, Stark?” 

“I have not asked him,” replied the latter, with 
simple dignity. 

“Better hurry up then,” said Clell, brutally. 

Stark glanced pitifully at Howard, and then 
looked away. 

Theo stood motionless, absorbing the immensity 
of the plot, and the importance of the step he was 
asked to take. At that moment came the astound- 
ing thought: “What has Stark ever done for me to 
deserve such a sacrifice at my hands?” 

Had it not been for him he would never have seen 
Irene Trainer or experienced the misfortunes that 
had followed her acquaintance ; had it not been for 
him he would not be penniless now, and in absolute 
danger of death. 

He, however, put such thoughts aside manfully. 

“If I have been weak enough to forget my man- 
hood, to allow myself to be duped, then I, and no 
one else, must take the consequences.” Then aloud, 
“A fortune has no weight in my eyes when it will 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


97 


stand between a man and death ; I will sign the 
paper.” 

‘‘Good!” said the robber, starting for the door; 
‘Til call the witnesses.” 

“Hold!” said Theo, quietly; “there is no hurry 
for my signature* Besides, I shall not sign this in- 
strument blindly for any one. You must acquaint 
me with some of the particulars of the mysterious 
fortune that has fallen to me. In the meantime see 
that my friend’s wants are supplied; then tell me 
the story of the fortune.” 

“You will remember your promise?” said Clell, 
doubtingly. 

“Only too well.” 

“Then come with me.” 

Theo was led back to his place of confinement, 
and there left by the redoubtable Clell, with the in- 
formation that a lady would appear shortly and ac- 
quaint him with such particulars as she would deem 
necessary. 

“Remember, too,” was the careless answer, “that 
if the signature is withheld our mutual friend is 
liable to kick the bucket any time.” 

And with this comforting insinuation the gruff fel- 
low took his departure. A minute later he was 
again in the presence of Stark. 

The latter was busily engaged in washing his 
face of the paint and other subterfuges that had de- 
ceived the victim, and Clell watched him in admira- 
tion. 

“A good make-up, Bob. It would deceive most 
any one, especially where the light is the least bit 
dim.” 

“I flatter myself that it was a success, but I was 
mortally afraid that the young gentleman in his 


98 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


sympathy would get closer to me than was neces- 
sary. If he had he would have made a discovery 
most fatal to us, for he has the eyes of a hawk.” 

“Suppose he had; wouldn’t he still be willing to 
sign in order to save his own life? A man, when it 
comes to a pinch, will do almost anything to stave 
off death.” 

“Not so with Howard. I must say that while he 
has been blinded in this matter by his friendship for 
me, he is of an unusually penetrating and superior 
as well as determined mind. He would never, under 
such circumstances as these, submit were the pun- 
ishment directed toward himself instead of some 
one else.” 

“I wonder what keeps the Queen to-night.” 

“There she is now; I hear her at the door.” 

The next moment Irene Trainer entered the apart- 
ment. 

“How go things?” she inquired, gayly. “Is our 
handsome prisoner as refractory as ever?” 

“No, he has at last given in.” 

“Good ! Has he yet signed the paper?” 

“No; he refuses to do so until he has had the par- 
ticulars of the way in which the fortune came to 
him.” 

“Has that been done?” 

“No; we have decided to leave that pleasant part 
of the programme to you.”' 

“Most excellent judgment and forethought! Shall 
I give him a straight story, or will it be best tojnter- 
sperse the truth with a pleasant bit of fiction. HeTl 
never get out of this place to cause any trouble.” 

“Don’t be too sure of that. It begins to look com- 
paratively safe now, but we must not take it for 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


99 


granted that we shall have plain sailing hence- 
forth.’ ’ 

“What can stop us now from accomplishing our 
purposes? Howard’s body has been discovered, 
and is forever under ground ; not a trace of the rob- 
bers exists; how can we be molested?” 

“Belton is on the trail.” 

“Trying to get on it, you mean? There is quite a 
difference.” 

“Maybe now; but there is a likelihood of less 
difference soon with him at work.” 

“Well, go on, and let us get through with this 
business ; we are both needed in town to-night ; the 
gang is getting np a new scheme to be entered upon 
just as soon as this matter is fixed up.” 

“Oh, no; we’ll wait until your return with the 
money before we leave this house.” 

“Very well; then I’ll go at once to Howard, and 
to him a tale unfold that will make each particular 
hair st&nd on end.” 


CHAPTER XVI. 

BELTON ON THE TRAIL. 

Belton was in a new and dangerous locality, but 
he felt no fear. 

He had been in many a more dangerous situation, 
and he knew that while the mistress would proba- 
bly shoot him on sight should she find him prowling 
about the premises, he was yet willing to take all 
risk in the matter. 

The next room was dark, but beyond it he saw 
the glimmer of a light. 

Cautiously advancing, he soon found himself in a 
sitting-room dimly illuminated, but .unoccupied. 


100 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Here he paused again to listen for any possible 
noise in the kitchen or elsewhere. 

He could hear the movement of a person in the 
room overhead, and at once concluded to reach that 
point. 

Beside the room he was occupying ran a hall in 
which commenced a flight of stairs. 

He made his way immediately, hut in a perfectly 
noiseless manner, to the foot of the stairs, and be- 
gan the ascent. When half way up he heard the 
murmur of voices, but could not distinguish the 
tones or the words. 

He at last had reached the top without the faint- 
est indication of a sound to show his presence. A 
small room stood on a level with the landing, and 
by the side of this was a larger apartment, in which 
were seated a man and a woman engaged in a low 
conversation. 

“I must hear what they are saying,” he mut- 
tered, “and I can’t evidently get into that room. 
How, how shall I arrange the affair?” 

Where he was standing he could see not the per- 
sons but their reflection in a mirror. 

Had they been facing the mirror, they, in like 
manner, would have been able to see his image. 

The window nearest the smaller room he could see 
was raised somewhat ; could he reach it from the 
outside he would be able to hear almost everything 
they said. 

He stepped past the half open door into the little 
room, and the next moment had raised the window. 

Peering outside he was rejoiced to find that each 
of the lower windows had a projecting cap suffi- 
ciently large to stand upon, could he but reach it. 

The next point was to place himself in the desired 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


101 


situation. Slipping through the window before 
which he had been standing, he poised himself on 
that particular ledge, and then reaching out side- 
ways, he managed to catch hold of the shutter of 
the next window. 

Allowing himself to swing like a pendulum, his 
feet struck the edge below and remained there. 

He now grasped the sill of the desired window, 
and peeped in to see whether he had made sufficient 
noise to be heard. In doing this he took a risk, as 
‘ indeed had been the case all the evening, for the 
reason that he might be seen at any moment. 

In order to obviate this difficulty, he decided on 
a bold stroke. 

Seizing one of the shutters, he closed it with a 
bang, at the same time lowering his head so as not 
to be seen should the couple look up. 

They did look up, but with the remark by the 
gentleman that he thought a storm must be coming 
up, they continued their conversaion with no fur- 
ther attention to the incident. 

The detective was now in a position to hear if not 
to see, and he applied his ear assiduously to the 
task of finding out just what the subject of their con- 
versation was. 

His position was not so comfortable as he might 
have wished, but he cared not for that so long as he 
was in hopes of making any discovery. 

However, in spite of his exertions, it seemed that 
he was doomed to disappointment, for he could 
catch a word only here and there, although one 
question and its answer set him thinking. 

“Suppose he will not give in?” 

“Then we must try the starving process on him; 


102 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


I have starved myself too long for such barren re- 
sults.” 

“Now, what in the name of all the virtues,” mused 
the perplexed detective, “does that mean? Of course 
it must refer to Howard; but why has Stark, who 
doesn’t look as if he had been depriving himself of 
the necessities of life, been starving, and why do 
they propose to starve Howard? The first part is of 
course a hoax, but the second may be onty too true. 
Now, what is their game? The bank robbery is 
only a portion of some gigantic scheme of which 
Howard appears to be the central figure. Now, let’s 
listen again.” 

“I am afraid to trust you,” said the Queen. 

“Why should you be?” said Stark, angrily. 

“If you ever get the money into your hands I shall 
never see you again.” 

“Well, how do you propose to remedy the mat- 
ter?” 

“By going with you.” 

“Nonsense! Ho you wish to spoil the whole game 
by your unworthy suspicions? It would be an im- * 
possibility for you, Jim, and myself to leave this 
place together. I have no doubt Belton has his eye 
on us all the time, and if we were both to leave, he 
would be on hand to follow us, despite our precau- 
tions.” 

“How about a disguise?” 

“Of course I shall go disguised, but for three to 
attempt it would but treble the risk. Why don’t you 
be reasonable, and trust me?” 

“Ah, Robert! you’re too sharp by half. Why 
won’t I trust you? Simply because I won’t, and if 
you should attempt to go by yourself, I think I could 
whisper a word to our inquisitive friend, Belton, for 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


103 


which that gentleman would doubtless be thankful 
to me the remainder of his life. Now, try it if you 
wish to.” 

Their tones were now dropped almost to a whis- 
per, and Belton, despite his acute hearing, was 
forced to acknowledge that he could not catch a 
single word, and as his position had become next to 
intolerable, he began to cast about him for a safe 
and noiseless descent to the ground, when a succes- 
sion of piercing screams rang through the house. 

The plotters sprang to their feet in alarm, and 
rushed down stairs to investigate the cause of the 
outcry, while Belton, grasping the edge of the win- 
dow cap, swung off, and dropped to the earth, some 
fifteen feet below. A moment later he was outside 
of the gate. 

In the meantime Stark and Irene had hurriedly 
proceeded to the kitchen, where they found Katrina 
still uttering her shrieks of terror. 

Finding that a simple question as to what ailed 
her was not sufficient to obtain a reply of any kind, 
Stark seized a bucket of water, and dashed the con- 
tents in the girl’s face. 

The remedy was certainly effective, for she sud- 
denly exclaimed, after a gulp of surprise at the un- 
expected deluge : 

“Oh, is he gone?” 

“Is who gone, you lunatic?” said Stark, sternly. 
“Explain the meaning of all this caterwauling.” 

“Ach! I haf been so frightened. I tought I vas 
should been kilt.” 

“Who was going to kill you?” 

“A big mans, oh, so big,” her eyes swelling again 
with terror as she thought of that dreadful weapon, 
“und he had a knife so long, und I tought my throat 


104 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


vas cut already/' feeling a little doubtful over the 
question even yet. 

“Little difference if your head had been cut off in- 
stead of so small a matter as your throat/- ’ said the 
Queen, harshly. “What did he do?” 

The servant Kate, who had witnessed the flirta- 
tion of the morning, was present, and now inter- 
posed. 

“I found her shut up in that cupboard, Miss 
Trainer, perfectly gray with fright, and when I 
opened the door she fell to screaming just as you 
heard her.” 

“I tought it vas der mans,” insisted the girl, with 
a shudder, in extenuation of her offense. “I tought 
he vas cornin’ back to kill me.” 

“How did you get in that cupboard?” 

“He put me in and den fastened der door.” 

“What did he then do?” with a glance significant 
of alarm at Stark. 

‘ Ach, I vas so scart I know nottings, but I tink 
he went into der dining-room.” 

“Let us search, then!” cried Irene, hastily. “He 
may yet be in the building, and if he is, it will not 
do to allow him to get away so easily.” 

But if she expected to catch the intruder, she was, 
certainly disappointed, for not a single trace of his 
presence could be found. 

Had not the terror of the German girl been so ap- 
parent, the plotters would have been forced to be- 
lieve that she had been imposed upon by her im- 
agination. 

“Well, what do you think of it?” said Irene, in 
despair. 

“It must have been Belton, and it is possible that 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


105 


he has heard every word of our conversation. If he 
has, good-by to our schemes.” 

“But I can’t believe that it was he. It was a Ger- 
man, for Katrina surely could not be deceived by 
any clumsy imitation such as Belton could not help 
giving.” 

“Do not lay too much stress upon the chances of 
a clumsy imitation by such a person as this detec- 
tive. It seems to me that he is anything but clumsy. 
Yet we can do nothing but proceed with our plans 
and await his move. If something doesn’t turn up 
before a day, he, in my opinion, will be just a few 
hours too late to be of any service to the other side. 
Let me adjust my disguise and go.” 

Ten minutes later a man with a heavy beard 
walked out at the back gate, and disappeared down 
the alley. 

At the same moment a German walked rapidly 
past the house in the same direction. Half a square 
away Tie ran against an Irish laborer, who was ap- 
parently occupied in looking at the moon as it 
played at hide and seek with the clouds. 

“Oxcuse me,” said the former, “I vas not see not- 
tings as I comes oop.” 

“No, I guess not, but begob, if ye don’t watch 
out ye’ll see stars nixt toime, bad luck to yer ugly 
pictures.” 

As the German disengaged himself from the 
Irishman, who was inclined to stand on his dignity 
as well as assume a belligerent attitude, he whis- 
pered, hastily: 

“Stark’s just left— went down the alley— big 
brown beard — follow.” 


106 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

belton’s interview with irene. 

“Now,” remarked the German to himself, “I 
think I shall hold an interview with the fair cham- 
bermaid who bamboozled me so nicely last night. 
Maybe she’ll do it again, but I shall not forego the 
pleasure of a private confab with her, even with that 
staring me in the face as a necessary consequence.” 

He was not in a hurry about carrying out his in- 
tentions, however, for he made no motion to ap- 
proach the house, although it is safe to say that no 
movement of any importance was made about the 
premises which he did not see. 

At last he seemed to think that the time had ar- 
rived for action; he walked boldly up to the gate, 
opened it, and approached the window. 

Irene was seated in the parlor, but for once the 
sound of gayety was not heard — she was alone. 

“Now’s my time,” he said, grimly, as he noticed 
that she was engaged in running over the keys of 
the piano in a desultory manner. 

Stepping on tiptoe, he cautiously opened the front 
door, and slipped up stairs. A hasty glance into a 
suite of bedrooms determined his choice. 

He selected the best furnished, and coolly disap- 
peared under the bed. 

After a half hour’s waiting, he heard a step on the 
stairway, but as it passed on to another room he con- 
cluded it must be one of the servants. 

A few minutes later another step was heard, and 

this time he knew his intended victim was coming, 


BOB YOUNGE1VS FATE. 


107 


for she entered the room humming the air she had 
been playing a few minutes before. 

“Heigho!” she exclaimed, as she threw herself 
into a chair after locking the door, “I wonder if I'll 
get any sleep to-night? I shall not allow Katrina’s 
German friend to disturb my slumbers, anyhow, if 
I can help it. I believe I shall be obliged to dis- 
charge that girl for her blundering work.” 

After a few minutes spent in idle musing she 
made a movement to take down her hair, when Bel- 
ton concluded it best to begin his contemplated in- 
terview. He arose so noiselessly from behind the 
bed that Irene did not see him until she heard his 
words. 

“Goot efening, Mees Trainer. I hope I shall see 
you well.” 

The girl did not scream. She was made of sterner 
stuff, even if her lovely features gave no indication 
of the reckless courage underneath that beautiful 
exterior. 

It is true that her lips grew pale, but she did not 
tremble : and the detective was never in greater 
danger in his life than when he stood in her pres- 
ence at that moment. 

‘•'Do you want anything?” 

“Yaw, I shall tink I vas vant somedings before I 
have this place left; can you gif them?” 

“I might give you something; yes,” very signifi- 
cantly, “but it may not be just what you want.” 

“Anyding vould be acceptable from dose lofely 
hands. Ah, shust like mine Katrina’s hands,” as 
he came nearer. 

“So you are the gentleman who entered my house 
to-night and frightened your lovely Katrina into a 
fit.” 


108 


BOB YOUNGER'S FATE. 


“Yaw, I am dot same, and Yawcob is my name. I 
vas so mad mit her dot I shut her up in der cup- 
board. I tought she had anoder mans in der house, 
und I vas find him.” 

“You say you found him?” 

“ISTein. I vas dry to found him. But I find him 
not.” 

“Have you been in the house ever since?” ad- 
vancing a few steps, a deadly gleam in her eye. 

“Yaw, I been here all der same dimes,” with the 
most innocent look in his calm orbs. 

“Do you know I don’t believe you are a German 
at all?” 

“Ish dot so? Yell, vat do you tink I been?” 

“An Irishman!” 

The German’s jaw dropped in alarm, as if he 
thought she was crazy. 

“Maybe dot vas der name of the oder mans. Did 
y ou see him?” 

“No, but you are no German.” 

The man seemed to be greatly amused, and began 
to exhibit symptoms of a laughing fit ; first he shook 
all over as if he were afflicted with the aome ; then a 
wheezy sound issued from his vocal apparatus, fol- 
lowed by the long-repressed laugh. 

Unfortunately it was cut short in its prime, as we 
might say, for Irene, with a swift motion, drew a 
dirk that was concealed at her side, and sprang at 
him with murderous intent. 

Had he not been watching her like a hawk, de- 
spite his apparent carelessness, he would never 
have lived to tell the story. 

As the knife descended he quietly seized her by 
the arm, and held her like a vise. 

“Drop it!” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


109 


She did not move. 

“Drop it!” with a significant pressure on her arm. 

The weapon fell to the floor. 

“Now,” with frightful good humor, “you will al- 
low me to finish mine laugh. I must not be inter- 
rupted dot vay.”' 

Suiting the action to the word, he hurst out into 
such a hearty guffaw that Irene would have joined 
him had she not been furious with rage. 

“How is my pretty chambermaid to-night, any- 
how,” he asked, with a broad smile. 

Every trace of the German had disappeared. 

“Oh, I knew it was you,” she said, quickly. 

“Merely suspected it, you mean.” 

“What have you come for?” 

“To show you that I am on your trail and still 
live.” 

“I don’t know what you mean.” 

“Of course not, but let me advise you in regard to 
one thing, don’t hereafter try any disguises on me. 
Minneapolis is too small a city for that. It might 
work all right in New York, where there are thou- 
sands of criminals, but never here. As a proof, see 
how quickly I located you.” 

“I still fail to grasp your meaning.” 

“I don’t doubt it in the least. I don’t expect you 
to acknowledge your crime, but I want to warn you 
that your present plots will never succeed. I want 
to show you that it will be useless to take further 
steps toward their consummation.” 

“What do you know?” 

“Oh, well, some things I know, and some I don’t; 
but do not trust Julian Stark out of your sight a mo- 
ment.” 

“And pray what terrible thing is Julian Stark 


no 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


about to do tliat concerns me?” spoken with a non- 
chalant smile. 

“When he gets his lingers on that money you may 
freely give your share as a donation to the church 
you attend.” 

Irene looked him squarely in the face with not a 
quiver of mouth or eye. 

“An enigma! What strange and welcome piece 
of good fortune has happened to him now?” 

“You know as well as I.” 

“Perhaps better. And you think I can’t trust 
him?” 

“That is exactly what I said, and mean, too.” 

“PH never believe that!” she cried, with spirit. 
‘ ‘ J ulian false to me ? Impossible ! 5 ’ 

Belton laughed complacently, and yet with a look 
of admiration. 

“You are a strange woman, Miss Trainer, but a 
most able one. I’d give a thousand dollars to have 
as efficient a confederate on the detective force.” 

“I don’t understand you,” she said, in perplexed 
innocence. 

The detective knew he was wasting time in at- 
tempting to gain information of any kind from her, 
and he determined to leave. 

“Oh, well, I guess you will never understand; so, 
having finished my errand, I might as well take my 
departure,” and with that remark he arose. 

“Won’t you explain your meaning?” she asked, 
with a troubled look. “If Julian is false to me I 
ought to know it. What have you ascertained about 
him?” 

“That I must not say.” 

“But remember, if he is contemplating any treach- 
ery, that I am in a position to frustrate his move- 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Ill 


merits by exposing what I know of certain matters 
with which J am more or less intimately connected.” 

“He is merely using you as a tool.” 

“As a confederate, you should say.” 

“Then you will acknowledge that you are making 
the attempt to gain a fortune that belongs to some 
one else.” 

“Suppose we are; and you know to whom?” 

“Certainly; to Theo Howard.” 

“And Theo Howard left no relatives,” with a 
quickly drawn breath that did not escape Belton ; 
he knew more than she suspected. 

“None, so far as I know. Your plan is to have 
Stark obtain this money, and on his return share it 
with you ; but you will never live to see or hear of 
his return.” 

Her eyes flashed strangely. 

“How do you know 3 ” 

“Simply because it is part of their plan. You are 
in the^gang only in an incidental sort of way.” 

The last shot went home, and she allowed him to 
see it. 

“Perhaps you can tell me how you heard all this?” 

“Clell is the fellow who gave it away in my hear- 
ing, but not intentionally, of course.” 

Her countenance fell again. 

“You know Clell?” 

“Oh, yes; in a casual sort of manner.” 

Irene arose. 

“Mr. Belton, I attempted to murder you to-night. ” 

“Yes.” 

“I would gladly have accomplished the deed had 
I not been frustrated.” 

“You certainly would have done so.” 

“I am rejoiced now that you were not killed.” 


112 


BOB YOUNGERVS FATE. 


“You ought to be very thankful.’ ’ 

“I am willing to make reparation.” 

“I am afraid you are moving too fast for a thor- 
ough reformation, my good woman.” 

“Oh, you don’t understand me, sir; I don’t call it 
a reformation. All I want is proof of Stark’s per- 
fidy, and I assure you I will not hesitate to reveal 
all I know. Can you give me such proofs? If so, 
come down stairs with me, and with a bottle of 
wine between us, we will doubtless be able to arrive 
at an understanding.” 

“Oh, yes; I’ll go with you, but there must be no 
little games played on me, such as you attempted 
last evening.” 

“Certainly not until I hear what you have to say.” 

Irene’s manner was most cordial and earnest, but 
the detective made no pretense of trusting her. He 
followed her, however, and at last stood beside her 
in one of the lower rooms. 

She now faced him at the distance of a yard. 

“What will happen to me should I give you such 
information as you desire regarding this matter?” 

“Of course you will not be molested.” 

, “My life would not be safe unless the whole gang 
were captured.” 

“Then we must make arrangements to capture the 
whole gang. Are you willing to render our descent 
upon them completely successful?” 

There was a perplexed look on Irene’s face, and 
her foot moved restlessly about over the floor. 

“Yes,” she said at last, with a smile, “I am ready 
to make your descent completely successful.” 

As she uttered the last word there was a percepti- 
ble click, and before Belton could make a move that 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


113 


portion of the floor on which he was standing sank 
beneath him. 

He made a wild clutch at the floor as he fell, and 
succeeded in grasping it with the tips of his fingers. 

Had he not been molested he might have raised 
himself from his dangerous position ; but Irene stood 
above him smiling triumphantly. 

“Outwitted again, and by a woman! Fie upon 
such detective skill !” 

“I’ve one consolation left anyhow,” remarked the 
imperturbable detective. 

“What is that, my easily satisfied friend?” 

“That if I have been outwitted by a woman, it 
was done by a mighty handsome one.” 

“Is that all you have to say?” 

“All except that I want you to let me out, for I 
can’t hold on much longer. ” 

“Very well; when you can’t hold on any longer, 
just let go. It is not very far down, and the sooner 
you drop the sooner all will be over.” 

“Won’t you tell me what it is like down here?” 

“Well, you are a cool one ! But I must allow you 
to find out by experience. In the meantime, be sure 
not to frighten Katrina so badly upon your next 
visit, and don’t fail to report your success to-night 
upon your arrival at headquarters.” 

Here Belton made a determined effort to raise 
himself, but Irene struck him a cruel blow on the 
temple with a wine bottle she seized from the table 
that stood 'near. 

With a groan the detective’s hold loosened, and 
he fell into the black, awful space beneath. 


114 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE, 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE DETECTIVE’S ESCAPE. 

It seemed to Belton that he fell hundreds of feet 
before he stopped, but the uncertainty of what was 
in store for him was the most horrible of all to bear. 

-The sensation of ice cold water was the first re- 
minder that he had fallen into a deep well. Down 
he sank into its frigid depths with a momentum that 
must have carried him to the bottom, but a few mo- 
ments later he had arisen to the surface. 

Ah hough he could see nothing, he knew his posi- 
tion must be well nigh hopeless. The fact was that 
in falling he had but one chance in a hundred of 
escape from instant death, but that one chance had 
come to him, and he was yet alive. 

Had he not descended in an upright posture his 
head would certainly have struck on the side of the 
well, and unconsciousness, followed by drowning, 
would have been the inevitable result. 

“Yes, my descent has been perfectly successful, 
not perhaps so much as the fair young Queen would 
have desired, but doubtless it will end just the same, 
for I can’t stand it much longer in this freezing 
water.” 

His hands came in contact with the smooth wall 
in his search for a projection by which to raise him- 
self. 

“She has done it well; alas, too well, for my pro- 
longed sojourn on earth ; but while there is life I’ll 
nose around for hope ; and, by my good stars, I have, 
I believe, found something more substantial than 
hope!” 

His last remark was called forth by the discovery 
of a break in the wall. He concluded at once that a 
portion of the wall had fallen in at one time, and 
his next movement was to find out whether the 
niche or recess thus formed wpre sufficiently large 
for him to creep into it. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


115 


He had great difficulty, however, in making the 
experiment, for the dirt continually fell under his 
grasp, and he realized with horror that his strength 
was beginning to fail. 

One last determined effort raised him so that he 
could seat himself in the recess by holding on to the 
ragged bricks around him ; but even in this position 
he was still partly in the water, and liable to slip in 
again wholly at any moment. 

Suddenly he bethought himself, with a smile, of the 
weapon that had frightened the blooming Katrina 
into hysterics, and seizing it with an eagerness that 
showed how exuberant his hopes had suddenly be- 
come, he began to dig in the dirt behind him with 
the result that in less than five minutes he had en- 
larged the niche sufficiently to seat himself therein 
with comparative comfort. 

“Now, my beautiful Queen, I rather think I shall 
have another whack at life and the Fidelity Bank 
robbers. I am sorry to have spoiled your pretty 
scheme, but I guess it’s spoiled. She’ll be down in 
the cellar in a jiffy to see if I have kicked the 
bucket, so I think I shall try to blind her. There’s a 
small biirof a board that kept knocking about me in 
the water, and I shall simply place my hat upon it. 
When she comes she’ll see my headgear floating 
around, and, of course, she’d be very dull of com- 
prehension if she didn’t at once conclude that my 
body was at the bottom ; but she will not investigate 
until the arch plotter, Julian Stark or Bob Younger, 
who, in my opinion, are identical, comes to help 
her. By that time I expect to be somewhere else.” 

Scarcely had he finished his task when he saw 
the dim reflection of a light on the floor overhead. 

He now withdrew himself into the niche, and 
awaited events. 

He could see that the light was being held over 
the mouth of the well, for its rays now fell on the 
surface of the water, and brought into perspicuity 
the hat which was floating lazily about. 

For full five minutes the person remained without 
moving, then slowly withdrew, leaving Belton once 
more in darkness. 


116 


BOB YOUNGEB’S FATE. 


a l^ow for liberty !” he cried, edging around so as 
to face the opening, and then began digging in the 
earth like a fiend. 

At each lunge the mass of earth thus loosened fell 
into the water with a splash, and he laughingly 
calculated how many splashes it would be necessary 
to make before he could find his way out. 

As he ascended, the atmosphere about him grew 
dense and heavy until his brain became so be- 
numbed that he found it impossible to work longer 
just then. He accordingly descended to the bottom 
of the opening, and secured a fresh breath, after 
which he went at his task with the same vehe- 
mence. 

“Upward and onward !” he exclaimed, in fury; but 
he was again and again compelled to leave his 
work for the precious boon of a little oxygen, al- 
though he returned as often with just the same de- 
termination. 

He knew not how long he worked with the same 
untiring energy that had marked his initial efforts, 
but when he felt that soon he must cease in order to 
recuperate his strength, his knife struck against a 
stone. 

“All for naught!” he cried, in despair, almost 
tempted to cast his weapon aside, but on sober sec- 
ond thought he continued his work. 

A broad surface of rock was exposed, completely 
covering the hole in which he was standing. 

“I must be confounded near the top,” he mut- 
tered. “Anyhow, let us see whether it is movable or 
otherwise.” 

Placing his head against it he pushed upward with 
what force he was able to use under the circum- 
stances. It moved ! 

“Heaven be praised!” he exclaimed, in thankful- 
ness. “I am saved again!” 

Raising one end he found that he had reached the 
surface of the ground, and was thus able to breathe 
freely without changing his position. 

Listening intently, while he drank in the grateful 
draughts, for any sound that might indicate the 
presence of a foe, he concluded that he was the only 


BOB LOUNGER’S FATE. 


117 


occupant of the cellar, and with a steady effort he 
pushed up the stone, which he found to be thin and 
flat, until it stood upon its edge. 

He now stepped out, and allowed it to fall back 
into its place. 

Belton always carried a box of matches about 
with him for any emergency that might arise. 

Pulling them out of an inside pocket, he was re- 
joiced to find them in perfect condition; and light- 
ing one he immediately set to work removing all 
traces of the loose dirt about the stone. 

“Now for my final exit!” 

With the aid of another match he discovered that 
the cellar was walled up to the very floor, which 
was some ten feet from the ground. 

With not an opening of any kind in the four walls 
that inclosed it, this apartment seemed to have been 
constructed for the very use to which it had been 
put this very night. 

“How many men have lost their lives in this infer- 
nal hole?” he muttered. “It seems that in a cer- 
tain sense I have jumped out of the frying-pan into 
the fire, amd not that either, for that well is any- 
thing but a frying-pan. However, it amounts to 
about the same thing, as I can see no way of escape, 
and the lovely Irene will doubtless have her own 
sweet way in the end. By the by, it must be close 
to morning, judging from the sensations of hunger 
and weakness that are beginning to affect me. My 
watch has stopped, and not a chink in the wall to 
show whether or not day has come; but I’ll go to 
work at once, for I ought to have been out of this 
place long since. Ah, I have it!” 

He had bethought himself suddenly of the small 
pieces of timber that are nailed between the joists of 
floors to hold them in position ; a rope thrown over 
one of these would enable him to climb up and un- 
fasten the trap. From that point his escape would 
be easy, provided he were not discovered. 

In an instant his coat was off and torn into two 
pieces. These he tied together, and now attempted 
to throw over the timber mentioned. 


118 


BOB YOUNGER,’ S FATE. 


A score of such attempts proved futile, but it was 
life or death to him, and he preferred life. 

At last he was successful ; a strain on his impro- 
vised rope showed him that it would answer the pur- 
pose admirably. 

A minute later he had touched the trap, and it 
dropped noiselessly into the cellar, supported on one 
side by the hinges that held it. 

His danger was not over yet by any means, as he 
would be obliged to ascend immediately over the 
mouth of the well, but he had come through so many 
perils unscathed that this seemed but a small matter 
to him. Removing every trace of his presence, so 
that his enemies would not know that he had been 
in the cellar at all, he stood on the very edge of the 
well, and making a leap into the air, he succeeded 
in grasping the side of the trap as it hung down- 
ward. 

Inch by inch he ascended, and soon his head was 
on a level with the floor. Another effort, and he 
stood on his feet. 

A few moments sufficed to raise the trap to its for- 
mer position 

It was yet dark, but Belton knew that it was the 
darkness that immediately preceded the dawn, and 
he tarried not. 

“Once more, fair Queen,” he murmured, as he 
stood hatless and coatless on the deserted street, and 
took a parting look at the dwelling from which he 
had so lately escaped, “once more I offer you greet- 
ing. I’ve been freed from your web twice, but I 
must not tempt fate much further. My web has 
just been begun, and I think it is now my turn to do 
the catching.” 

When Belton arrived at the office it was four 
o’clock. 

Jones was waiting for him, and when that worthy 
saw the condition of his superior, he burst into a 
laugh that was not altogether free from alarm. 

“What’s the matter? Been through a threshing 
machine?” 

“Oh, no,” quietly. “I’ll tell you after you’ve 
given me your report.” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


119 


Jones looked decidedly gloomy. 

“I haven’t much of a report to give.” 

“Didn’t you see your man?” 

“Yes, I caught on to him, and shadowed him for 
half an hour, but he suddenly disappeared, and not 
a trace of him could I find.” 

“Never mind; we’ll get on their trail sooner than 
they think. Now, Miss Trainer, Mr. Bob Younger, 
and the rest of you, look out, for I’m after you like 
a sleuth-hound.” 


CHAPTER XIX. 

THE QUEEN’S STORY. 

A knock at the door, followed by the words in 
feminine tones, “May I come in?” 

Without waiting for permission, however, the lady 
entered, and stood before Theo. 

“Aren’t you glad to see me?” she asked, mock- 
ingly. 

“If you bring me freedom.” 

“I do on certain conditions. In short, I have come 
to tell you a story. This task was left to me, doubt- 
less, on account of my superior culture in language.” 

“Most likely on account of your ability to make it 
as bitter as possible in the telling.” 

“Granted. Now it is agreed that you are to give 
your signature to a certain document when you 
have heard the facts which I am about to relate.” 

“Yes, provided I am satisfied of its truth.” 

“Well, it will be true. Shall I begin?” 

“Yes.” 

“A gentleman, whom I shall call Bob Younger, 
was walking along the streets of Chicago in an ob- 
scure portion of the town. 

“He was there merely on a visit, and having no 
errand . to occupy his attention, he was sauntering 
along taking in the sights. 

“While thus engaged some one ran out of a door- 
wav and called to him. Boh stopped. 
a 'A dying man is inside, and wishes to see you.” 


120 


BOB YOUNGEB’S FATE. 


" 'Wishes to see me? Surely you must be mis- 
taken.’ 

" ‘Yo, I am not. Any one will do, but I want 
you to come.’ 

"Bob took a sudden resolution. 

“ ‘ Very well; I’ll go with you.’ 

"Bob followed the stranger into the abode of the 
supposed dying man, and found it a most miserable 
place. 

"On a bed of straw lay an old man evidently in 
the last stages of disease. He looked up eagerly as 
the two entered. 

" 'I am glad you got him,’ he murmured. 'I can’t 
keep up much longer.’ 

" ‘What does he want with me?’ asked Bob, look- 
ing somewhat perplexed. 

" ‘I’ll tell you,’ said the old man. ‘I am a miser, 
and have been one all my life, starving myself to 
lay up a fortune. I am now dying, but the fortune 
I’ve saved, though it will go to a stranger at last. 
In a strong box I have placed more than a hun- 
dred thousand dollars, and I desire it to be given to 
the only relative I have, if he is living. I don’t 
want the case to get into the courts, or the lawyers 
will divide the money among themselves. I would 
like to have two men, honest ones at that, to hunt 
up this relative, and deliver the fortune to him with- 
out any one else knowing anything about it. Dr. 
Hinds is a man I can trust, and I want you to help 
him. I’ll allow you a thousand dollars apiece if you 
give the rest to my nephew. ’ 

" ‘But where is he?’ asked Younger. 

" ‘Ah, I have no idea. I only know that his fa- 
ther, who was my onlv brother, died many years 
ago, and that we had no connections far or near 
outside of our two families. My brother’s wife was 
not long following her husband ; and their boy, my 
nephew, was thus left without a friend in the world, 
for even I, his own flesh and blood, would then in 
my greed have refused him a home. I have not 
heard of him since that time, thirteen years ago. I 
want you to find him, and make reparation by giv- 


* BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 121 

ing him the wealth which should have been his 
years ago.’ 

“ 'His name?’ 

“ 'Theodore Howard. Now, draw up a paper, Dr. 
Hinds, stating that I bequeath all of my money to 
my nephew, Theodore Howard, except two thousand 
dollars, which is to pay you two gentlemen for all 
expenses incurred in hunting him up ; and you will 
be witnesses one for the other. ’ 

‘'Younger studied the face of Mr. Hinds as the lat- 
ter drew up the document. 

“He saw that he had an honest man to deal with, 
but a bold scheme had suddenly entered his head, a 
scheme which contemplated the appropriation to 
himself, not of a thousand dollars, but the whole for- 
tune. 

“He knew it could not be done by means of collu- 
sion with his colleague, so he determined to employ 
the only remaining weapon in his possession, fraud. 

“The paper drawn up and read, Samuel Howard 
signed it with trembling hands. 

“ ‘Now sign as witnesses/ he said, breathlessly, 
‘and I can die comparatively easy in mind.’ 

“Both men attached their signatures, and with 
his last breath the dying man located the position of 
the box. 

“He had desired that Dr. Hinds should retain pos- 
session of it until the young man were found, and 
then Younger should see that it reached the proper 
owner. 

“This was immediately done ; the old man buried, 
and the two administrators met for a final confer- 
ence. 

“Younger conducted himself in such a gentle- 
manly and honorable manner that Dr. Hinds was 
quite charmed with him. 

“ ‘Now, doctor/ said Bob, in parting, ‘I shall in- 
stitute due inquiries, and in case I make any dis- 
coveries, I shall let you know at once/ 

“ ‘I feel sure you will/ answered the other, 
warmly, ‘and will be very glad to hear from you on 
that or any other subject frequently/ 

“Younger, who knew perfectly well where Theo 


122 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


Howard was located, returned to Minneapolis, and 
struck up an acquaintance with Stark. It is scarcely 
necessary to say that Younger is a member of a 
gang which makes robbery its principal business. 
Two of the men, as you are aware, met the man 
Scott by accident, and after they had succeeded in 
getting him under the influence of liquor, they 
wormed from him a part of the arrangements he 
had made with you and Stark. The rest of the 
story you are familiar with: how you three started 
on your journey, and were waylaid by a band of 
masked men, and how this same band under the 
leadership of the master hand is moving heaven and 
earth to accomplish its purpose. The capture of 
the money from you and Stark was but a small part 
of the programme, and came in only incidentally. ” 

“And you are willing to allow us to go after you 
have obtained the money ?” 

“Certainly. Why not? After this haul is made, 
and the money divided, the gang will separate, and 
leave this part of the country. It will require a 
sharp detective to capture any of them. Haven’t 
they been trying for years, but with what success? 
Oh, yes; they are perfectly safe.” 

“How long will it take to obtain this money?” 

“Only a few days; just long enough to go to Chi- 
cago and back.” 

“Do you think Dr. Hinds will be satisfied with 
any such flimsy scheme as you have gotten up?” 

“It is not at all flimsy, you will find. In the first 
place, you are supposed by the world to be dead.” 
“What!” 

“Nothing more or less than dead. Two days after 
you disappeared, a man was found answering your 
description, and he was buried under your name. 
Two days before the robbery Younger wrote a let- 
ter to the doctor stating that he had found the 
nephew, and inclosed newspaper slips containing 
references to your name and position. To this was 
added the advice that he expected to start for Chi- 
cago in a day or two at the outside. Immediately 
after the bank robbery papers containing accounts 
of the incident, together with your disappearance, 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


123 


were sent him, and still later the description of the 
recovery of your body, with all the sad attendant 
circumstances. Now, behold the subtlety of our 
plot. You owe Stark thirty dollars ; by the simple 
change of a word or two it becomes a hundred thou- 
sand dollars. Stark is well known in this city ; he 
has had business dealings with you, and Dr. Hinds 
will not question the amount of indebtedness. Stark 
will go with Younger to Dr. Hinds, but not your 
friend Stark; he will keep you company until 
Younger’s return. Fortunately one of the gang 
bears a curious resemblance to the real Stark, and 
with some little touches here and there would de- 
ceive a . casual acquaintance. This is the man, then, 
who will accompany Younger. He will present this 
note of Howard’s, who has been proved dead and 
buried; what can the gentleman do except hand 
over the money?” 

“What if Dr. Hinds should refuse?” 

“ We have sworn to have the mrney peaceably 
first, but it must inevitably fall into our hands.” 

“ What is the date of the note?” 

“Ten days before your supposed death.” 

It is necessary for us to state that Irene’s story 
was in the main correct, with the exceptions, of 
course, that Stark and Younger were identical; that 
the overhearing of Scott’s plan for selling the mine 
was a picture drawn by her imagination, and that 
Scott, whose name was assumed, was a member of 
the band. 

“Now, Mr. Howard, you have the facts in the 
case before you. Is it life or death for your friend? 
Is it life or death for yourself?” 

“The money would do much for me,” said Theo, 
thoughtfully. , 

“Not without life to enjoy it. Remember, it will 
never under any circumstances belong to. you. ”. 

Theo realized the hopelessness of his position 
here ; once free he might recover this money, or at 
least bring some of the robbers to justice ; so with a 
long-drawn sigh he said at last : 

“I will sign the paper.” 


124 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


CHAPTER XX. 

SIGNING THE PAPER. 

A double quartet of robbers. One of the most no- 
table as well as the most bloodthirsty set of men 
that ever plotted against the life and property of 
their fellow men. 

And what names shall we write over against this 
notorious aggregation, except the names history has 
given them? 

Read the list: Frank and Jesse James, Bob, Jim, 
and Coleman Younger, Charlie Pitts, Clell Miller, 
and Bill Chadwell. 

Where can the records of the past locate in one 
combination eight men more reckless, more murder- 
ous, more regardless of the rights of others, more 
daring in their determination to do evil ? 

They need no introduction from us ; their deeds of 
darkness have spoken for them ; but here they are, 
and it is our duty to chronicle a few of the final acts 
in their career of crime, acts that led to the break- 
ing up of the band and the fitting termination of 
the lives of some of them. 

“I wish this infernal Chicago business was over,” 
said Jesse, impatiently. “Here we’ve been lying 
cooped up for days, and the end as far off as ever.” 

“Three days, perhaps two, will let us out,” said 
Bob. “You might go on with your cracking party 
at Northfield while we are at Chicago; but I don’t 
believe in running too many things at one time. 
Let us finish this business, and have all our plans 
ready to strike Northfield instantly afterward. 
Should the former movement be successful, and the 
latter a failure, how would you ever get your share 
of the money? No, let us do one thing, and do it 
w’ell before attempting another.” 

Bob’s opinion prevailed, and it was agreed that 
the remaining time they had at their disposal should 
be put in studying the topography of the surronud- 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


125 


in g country under the tutelage of Bill Chadwell, 
who was perfectly acquainted both with the lay of 
the land and with those people who could be relied 
upon for aid should, they be pursued after their at- 
tempt at robbery. 

While they were discussing irrelevant matters, 
the door was opened, and Irene appeared. 

‘'Most noble seigniors,” she said, with mock cour- 
tesy, “your prisoner has been overcome with com- 
passion for his starving friend. He has consented 
to attach his name to the document which will 
make his starving friend, as well as the rest of us, 
independent for the remainder of our lives. Will 
you come now and witness the signing?” 

“Perhaps I had better remain behind,” said 
Younger, with a significant smile. 

“And I,” remarked Chadwell, who had been sail- 
ing under the cognomen of Scott. 

“Six will be enough,” was Irene’s reply, “but 
should they need a seventh, the Queen is willing to 
sacrifice herself.” 

When the party entered Howard’s room all doubts 
as to the genuineness of Irene’s story vanished. 

Clell approached and unlocked his handcuffs, 
while each of the other five impressively cocked 
their revolvers as a silent warning against any at- 
tempt to escape. 

Theo smiled scornfully. 

“Brave men, to be afraid that one unarmed, half 
starved fellow might prevail against you !” 

No answer, but the weapons remained fixed in 
deadly aim upon his heart. 

Irene brought forward a rude stand, upon which 
were placed pens, ink, and the document requiring 
his signature. 

“Sign,” she said, and withdrew to one side. 

Theo picked up the paper, and read it through me- 
chanically. It was the same as he had read before, 
and seizing the pen hurriedly, as if to finish an un- 
pleasant task as soon as possible, he wrote his name 
in bold characters at the bottom. 

Irene approached, picked up the desk, and retired 
from the room. 


126 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Clell brought the handcuffs and again placed 
them about the prisoner's wrists ; slowly the revol- 
vers were lowered from their target, and one by one 
the robbers withdrew, 

Theo was again left with his own thoughts. 

“What have I done?" he mused. “I am so much 
in the dark that it is useless speculating on the mat- 
ter. I must wait with what patience I can summon 
until the explanation comes. It may never come, 
but I shall be satisfied with the consolation thai. my 
last deed was one of mercy. And Myra! I am 
afraid I shall never look upon her beautiful face 
again, but there's a hereafter, an eternity of happy 
meetings that I hope are in store for us." 

Casting himself upon his rude couch, he fell into 
a deep slumber that lasted until the break of day. 

In the meantime Bob Younger and his brother 
Jim were making active preparations for immedi- 
ate departure to Chicago on their nefarious errand. 
They were to leave the depot at Minneapolis on the 
early morning train so as to arrive as soon as possi- 
ble at their destination on the morrow. 

It was their purpose to get back on the following 
day, finishing up their reckoning at the stone house, 
and depart that night for Northfield, thirty-three 
miles away. 

“Am I to go with you?" cried Irene, as nothing 
was mentioned concerning her in their prepara- 
tions. 

“I think you were told once before that you could 
not." 

“But I shall. Have I gone to all this trouble in 
assisting you, simply to be told like a child that I 
cannot do a thing which will in no way interfere 
with your plans, except those that may be intended 
to defraud any of the band of their just portion?" 

“You know it will be well nigh impossible for 
three of us to get out of the city without detection." 

“I can disguise myself perfectly, and need not be 
seen with you." 

“But we have other work for you." 

“What is that?" 

“The abduction of Myra Ferry." 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


127 


“Why, that is a new move.” 

“And a very necessary one. We have discovered 
that the lady, has been seen in consultation with 
Belton, and it is likely that she is possessed of much 
that he knows about us and our plans. Now that 
Belton is out of the way, she is the only one we 
have to fear ; and we must take especial pains to 
prevent her from imparting any information to 
those who might be in a position to molest our plans 
before they are consummated. We have, therefore, 
decided to abduct her until such time as all danger 
shall be over, after which she may be released, un- 
less something unforeseen turns up in the meantime. 
The manner of abduction we will leave to the fer- 
tile brains of yourself and Jesse, assisted by the 
others who remain. What say you?” 

“I suppose I might as well give in,” said Irene, 
resignedly. 

It threw her into a situation that promised some 
excitement and possibly danger, and excitement 
was her chief object in life. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

THE PRETTY WAITING-MAID. 

A plainly dressed, but very pretty young woman 
ran up the steps of the Ferry residence, and rang 
the door-bell. 

“May I see Miss Ferry?” she asked the servant, 
who appeared in answer to the summons. 

“What name shall I give?” 

“Miss Todd.” 

The servant seemed to hesitate. 

“Your business with her?” 

“That I can best explain to the young lady my- 
self.” 

“Step into this room, then,” and the girl went off 
in search of her mistress. 

Five minutes later Miss Ferry stood in the pres- 
ence of her visitor. 

“I believe you have something to say to me,” she 


128 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


said, inquiringly, admiration for the lovely girl be- 
fore her shining out of her own beautiful features. 

A delicate flush came upon Miss Todd’s counte- 
nance as she arose with a low bow. 

“I am in search of a situation, Miss Ferry, and 
understanding that you are just now in need of a 
maid, I am here to make application for the place.” 

“You have had experience, I presume?” 

“Oh, yes; here is a recommendation from Mrs. 
Haney, and here is another from Miss Poole. You 
are acquainted with the ladies, are you not?” 

“Slightly; but I see they speak very highly of 
your services. Our girl left us yesterday, and we 
had not made up our minds to engage another one 
just at present, but if you are really capable, and 
mother is pleased with you, as indeed I cannot see 
how she can help being, I know of no reason why 
we should not employ you.” 

The tears sprang into the lovely eyes. 

“Oh, if you only knew how thankful I would be! 
We are very poor people, and depend mainly on my 
wages for our support. My sister is very ill, and 
needs medicine, which cannot be obtained without 
money.” 

Myra pitied the girl exceedingly when she mani- 
fested such evident emotion, and was tempted to 
take her in her arms then and there ; her mother, 
who entered the room at the moment, seemed more 
than pleased with the applicant ; so the bargain was 
closed at once— Miss Todd was engaged as maid. 

“Now, what shall we call you?” asked Myra. 

“Mary is my name,” she said, simply. 

“A very pretty and modest name!” said Mrs. 
Ferry, quite enthusiastically. “It seems to suit the 
owner to a nicety.” 

The owner blushed becomingly, and said she was 
afraid she did not merit such high praise, but hoped 
that she would at least give them satisfaction. 

She then set about her work in such a deft and 
thorough manner as to strengthen their already 
flattering opinion of her. 

. She seemed so happy at having obtained the situa- 
tion that she, to use her own words, “surprised her- 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


129 


self by bursting into some merry song, forgetful for 
the time that her sister was so ill ; but she was so 
glad that she would now be able to buy her what 
medicine would be needed, that it didn’t seem very 
wrong to sing a little, did it?” 



BOB YOUNGER. 


“Oh, no,” good Mrs. Ferry hastened to say; “sing 
all you want to, child. Your sister does not know it, 
while it will do you and us a world of good.” 


130 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


And the pretty maid was so overcome with joy at 
this statement that she actually embraced the sym- 
pathetic woman, and declared with tears in her eyes 
that she would never forget her kindness. 

Myra came into the room in the course of time, 
and surprised the new maid, who was gazing in- 
tently at a portrait of Theo Howard, which hung 
upon the wall. 

“What a handsome picture !” she exclaimed in ex- 
tenuation of her culpable curiosity. 

“Some people think it very handsome, ” said Myra, 
coldly, but very quietly, unaware that a pair of eyes 
bright as those of a hawk w£re watching her every 
expression of countenance. 

It was wonderful what a transient change had 
come over the features of this seemingly modest 
and retiring girl. 

“You will pardon my inquisitiveness,” Mary has- 
tened to plead, “but in passing through this room! 
happened to see the portrait, and as it seemed to 
bear such a striking resemblance to a young man I 
had seen at Miss Poole’s, I stopped to study it. I 
think his name was Howard.” 

“You are probably correct,” said Myra. “The 
name of this gentleman is, or rather was, Howard.” 

Again the hawk-like eyes searched every linea- 
ment of the calm, pale face. 

“Dead?” she said, softly. “And he seemed so full 
of health and life then.” 

“He would have been full of health and life yet 
had he not met with a violent death.” 

The pale face may have become paler yet, but it 
was hardly perceptible. 

“Not murdered !” cried Mary, with horror-stricken 
gaze. “You don’t mean to say he was murdered?” 

“Unfortunately, your surmise is only too true,” 
was the reply, as Myra turned away to attend to 
some duty. “He was foully murdered while en- 
gaged at his legitimate business, perhaps while de- 
fending the property of others.” 

“What an awful fate ! That can’t surely be the 
Mr. Howard who lost his life in the robbery of the 
Fidelity Bank?” 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


131 


“The same.” 

“Has no clew been found to the robbers — murder- 
ers, I should say?” 

Ah ! could Myra have seen the expression of those 
eyes now. 

“It seems not.” 

“How stupid those detectives must be!” cried 
Mary, with flashing orbs. “I believe I could do bet- 
ter myself.” 

Myra smiled at her vehemence. 

“I am afraid you would be a lamb among wolves 
if you were to turn detective.” 

“I’d do it willingly anyhow for a man like Mr. 
Howard, if I thought it would do any good.” 

No change in Myra’s countenance; one would 
never have suspected from her looks that Theo How- 
ard had been other than the merest acquaintance to 
her. 

“Oh, well it is hardly necessary to discuss the 
matter further., Mr. Howard is buried, his crime 
goes unpunished, but in the great hereafter all, 
doubtless, will be made plain.” 

Mary, feeling herself dismissed, went about her 
work, but there was an unsatisfied look on her face 
that gave a pretty good indication of the trend of 
her thoughts. 

“She is hard to read; notone single i<Jea have I 
gained from all those questions I put to her. She 
seems almost to have forgotten, that such a person 
as Theo Howard ever existed, yet with such a girl 
as she seems to be, feelings of that kind are most 
unnatural, provided she ever did care for him. I 
have understood that she was very much in love 
with him, and if that was the case, then she must 
now be playing a part, unless she is of a very fickle 
nature, which I certainly don’t believe. 

“But what can she . have discovered, if she is 
wearing a mask? She was at the grave on that 
night ; did she discover that the man who was bur- 
ied there was not Theo Howard? Julian Stark after- 
ward called on her ; she was grief-stricken. What 
did that show? Only that she had made no discov- 


132 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


ery, or else that she was playing the actress to per- 
fection. 

“I come to her as a maid, and bring up the sub- 
ject so that she cannot help showing her grief, if 
she is actuated by any such emotion ; I find her per- 
fectly calm, a decided contrast to Julian’s experi- 
ence with her. 

“Has she made any discovery since? Surely not. 
Is she playing a part? She surely must be. Any- 
how, in order . to be on the safe side, Myra Ferry 
must be abducted, and that this very night. 

“But her mother is such a dear old lady, so trust- 
ful, so sympathetic toward the poor waiting-maid, 
that if she knows anything concerning Miss Myra’s 
late doings, I feel sure that the said poor waiting- 
maid will in a very short time become possessed of 
the same information. ’* 

An hour later, as Mrs. Ferry was seated all alone 
in her room, Myra having gone out to make a call 
on a sick friend, Mary approached the door, and 
knocked softly. 

Obeying the occupant’s command, she entered, 
with a timid smile. 

“I was afraid you might be lonesome, dear Mrs. 
Ferry, and thought I had best come and sit with you 
a while if you should like me to do so.” 

“Certainly, child; I shall be glad of t your com- 
pany. I often am left alone, as Myra has frequent 
calls upon her attention from her society friends ; 
but for my part I generally prefer home, although I 
like plenty of company in the house.” 

“I am afraid I shall not prove very entertaining, 
but I’ll do the best I can. You’ll know there’s some- 
body in the room, anyhow.” 

“And a very pretty somebody, too,” patting the 
cheeks that had suddenly become very rosy. 

“Oh, I’m afraid you’ll spoil me before I leave,” 
cried Mary, in very shamefacedness. 

“And I hope the parting will be long delayed, if 
you keep on charming us in the way you have be- 
gun. But we must hide that face indoors, or some 
one will be stealing it ere we are aware of it.” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


133 


“There it is again! Really, Mrs. Ferry, I am be- 
ginning to think you are a great flatterer. ” 

“Not at all, child; I have simply fallen in love 
with you, and I know my daughter is also very 
much pleased with you, although she is somewhat 
more reserved in her statements than I ; and I think 
that when she praises a servant that servant must 
be a good one.” 

“Iam so glad to have won your approbation ; I 
was really afraid I had offended Miss Myra a few 
minutes ago.” 

“Why?” 

“She caught me staring at a portrait in her room, 
and she seemed so cold in her manner when I spoke 
of it that I was fearful she had taken offense at my 
curiosity.” 

Mrs. Ferry sighed. 

“It was a sad, very sad, affair, and one that Myra 
dislikes to discuss with any one ; but I do not think 
you offended her. You mistook silent grief for 
haughtiness.” 

“Oh, he was her lover, then?” 

“Yes, they would have been married in a short 
time had it not been for his untimely death. To 
make the affair more sad, it occurred while we were 
absent on a trip to Europe, or rather while we were 
on our way home.” 

“How mournful !” as the ready tear came into her 
eye. “But one good thing seems to be that she bears 
up under it wonderfully well.” 

“Myra is a woman who does not wear her griefs 
or her joys upon her sleeve; but I must say I was 
surprised myself, for I thought the shock would 
have thrown her into a fever.” 

“Was she satisfied that her lover was dead?” 

“Mercy, child! -what do you mean?” 

Mary confusedly hastened to explain. 

“I suppose you knew that the corpse had been 
mutilated when found?” 

“Oh, yes, we knew that; but to my knowledge 
Myra never questioned his death, nor did any of us.” 

“It seems peculiar that it was never mentioned.” 

“Nevertheless it was not spoken of among us. I 


134 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


presume we had so much regard for our daughter’s 
feelings that we considered it best to let every 
thing, even discussion and surmise, alone.” 

“Has your daughter been out at night since her 
return?” 

Seeing Mrs. Ferry’s look of gentle surprise at such 
apparent inquisitiveness, the girl immediately ad- 
ded: 

“I am afraid you consider me very curious, but I 
assure you it is anything else than curiosity. I was 
about to presume on your generosity so far as to 
ask if it would be possible for Miss Myra to visit 
my sister this evening in company with me, but I 
am fearful I have gone too far, and asked too much. 
Yet the poor thing is so miserable while alone that 
a call from a beautiful and bright young woman 
like your daughter would be better even than medi- 
cine,” and the penitent yet sorrowful maid hid her 
face in her handkerchief, and wept softly. 

“Never mind, Mary, You made no mistake. Myra 
would doubtless be very willing to go with you in 
order to relieve her mind of the harrowing feelings 
that have lately overwhelmed her.” 

“But if she has been accustomed to retire early 
she may like to do so to-night.” 

“Only the greater reason why she should make a 
change. Not a night has passed since our return 
that has not found her in bed at nine o’clock. Oh, 
yes; I’m sure she will go with you.” 


CHAPTER XXII. 

CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY. 

Mary could have danced with joy at the informa- 
tion she had just obtained. 

Myra had evidently kept secret her visit to the 
grave, and as Belton was disposed of for all time, 
surely no one else except Bill Jones would be able 
to tell anything about their discovery, if discovery 
they had made; and after Younger’s return and di- 
vision of the spoils, it mattered but little who told 


BOB YOUNGEB’S FATE. 


135 


the secret, as the conspirators would then be far 
enough away. 

Myra’s tongue must be therefore silenced for the 
present, while Jones would be merely watched, for 
it was hardly likely that he would take any action 
unless by order from his superior. 

In the meantime Myra had returned from her 
call, looking tired and worn. Mary thought it best, 
under the circumstances, to delay her invitation 
until evening; and then she went to her mistress 
with the most timid air. 

“If you will allow me, Miss Ferry, I should be 
glad to visit my sister to-night, and take a little 
medicine with me.” 

“By all means go. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it, 
or you might have gone sooner. ” 

“Thank you.” 

Seeing that the girl hesitated, Myra said, kindly : 

“Is there anything else that you want? Oh, 
money, of course. I had forgotten that,” and she 
tendered the maid a bill. 

Mary still hesitated. 

“Well, what else is there you wish to say?” she 
smiled. 

“I am afraid to ask you.” 

“There is no need to be afraid, for if I can grant 
your wish I will readily consent; and if I cannot, of 
course I shall tell you so.” 

“Yes, I will state my request. I would esteem it 
a great privilege and honor to have you go with me 
to-night.” 

“Impossible, I am afraid, Mary.” 

The tears came into the latter’s eyes as she said : 

“My sister would be so glad to see you. I have 
looked upon your possible visit all day with the hope 
that it would make a break in poor Lizzie’s weary 
hours of misery.” 

Myra seemed uncertain what to do. The appeal 
of ttie helpless was to her the call of duty always, 
and she felt like obeying it now. 

“I am tired this evening. Mary ; besides I have ail 
appointment with the chief of police in a little 
while.” 


136 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Th$ maid clapped her hands in apparent joy, 
though her heart gave an awful thump of fear ; she 
must act quickly if she wished to prevent the down- 
fall of their plans. 

“That will suit exactly. When you reach our 
house it will be a part of your journey to ther police 
headquarters, and if you like I can go on with you 
from that point.” 

“It is wholly unnecessary, as I would prefer that 
you remain with your sister over night, and come to 
me in the morning. I can easily take the cars after 
leaving your dwelling, and accomplish my errand 
without any attendant.” 

“Then you will go?” joyfully. 

“Yes; I shall be pleased to spend a few minutes 
with your sister if it will be the means of affording 
her a little solace.” 

“Let me thank you for the kindness. The future 
will alone show how deeply it is appreciated.” 

“That will do,” said Myra, with a smile at the 
lightning change from sorrow to joy. “Now get 
your hat, and we will start at once.” 

Darkness had fallen over the city. 

Pedestrians were hurrying on their way as if in 
expectation of a breaking out of the storm that was 
evidently in the air. 

The two women walked hastily on their way, like 
their fellow men, neither saying much, for both 
seemed busy with their thoughts. 

The maid cast her bright eyes about her from time 
to time as if in search of possible danger or surveil- 
lance, but Myra gazed only straight ahead. 

She was thinking of Belton and his promise to 
meet her this night ; of Theo and his possible where- 
abouts. 

The last thought brought a sob to her bosom. 

She was not even yet certain that her lover was 
alive. 

He might at this moment be lying somewhere 
with his dead face turned upward toward the stars, 
his body the prey of the corroding elements. She 
could have cried outright at the idea, but bravely 
keeping down her emotion she hastened onward. 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


137 


“Here is the place,” said Mary at last, pausing be- 
fore the door of a miserable looking abode. 

She knocked, but there was silence inside. 

She knocked again, and yet met with no response. 

‘‘They must be in the back part of the house,” she 
explained. 

Again she tried, and as Myra realized afterward, 
each knock was different from the preceding one. 

Shuffling footsteps were now heard, a rattling 
noise, caused by the withdrawal of bolts, and then 
the door was opened a little space. 

“Who is there?” asked a hoarse voice. 

“It is I, father,” said Mary, hurriedly. “Don’t 
keep us waiting, please.” 

The door was then opened, and Mary went in first. 

The room was in perfect darkness, the crazy old 
shutters being closed so that not a ray of light came 
from the outside world; and there was certainly 
none within. 

Mary took her companion by the hand. 

“Let me lead you,” she said, persuasively. 
“Lizzie is in the next room.” 

But Myra drew back in undefinable alarm. 

“I am sorry we have no better accommodations,” 
remarked the hoarse voice in what was intended to 
be a jovial tone, “but, Mary, you should let me 
know when you expect to bring visitors hereafter.” 

“I shall, dear father.” 

There was a sudden movement, and Myra felt 
her arms pinioned to her side by a pair of strong 
hands. 

Quick of judgment, the girl at once knew she had 
permitted herself to be led into a position of the ut- 
most danger; and just as quick to act, she gave 
vent to a scream intended as a call for help. But 
her foes, anticipating such a movement, cut off the 
scream almost in its incipiency by clapping a hand- 
kerchief saturated with chloroform over her mouth 
and nostrils. 

A convulsive effort to get her breath, a motion to 
break away, and Myra sank into the arms of the 
man who had opened the door for her. 


138 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


“Quick, Cole!” said a voice; “let us get her into 
the next room.” 

At that moment a thundering' knock burst upon 
the startled hearing of the conspirators. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

IN MANY DISGUISES. 

Passengers were waiting to take the midnight 
tram for Chicago. 

Hot many persons usually care about losing half 
the night’s sleep to catch such a train, even when 
about to take a long journey, yet on this particular 
occasion quite a large number of people were stand- 
ing about in the Minneapolis depot, either waiting 1 
tor the tram or for expected visitors. 

Down the platform sat an old man bundled up to 
the neck m spite of the comparatively' warm 
weather, and crouching over a wheezy old hand 
organ, out of which he from time to time ground 
such melodies as made the blood run cold One 
gentleman who had deep-seated prejudices against 
hand organs m general and this rheumatic one in 
particular, approached, and said he would willinglv 
give fifty cents if the operator would cease turning 
the crank for fifteen minutes. 

And, begorra,” said the grinder, pocketing the 
money without a word of thanks, “who’ll tell me 
whin me time is up?” 

“PH come back in a quarter of an hour,” said the 
0t ^Tn r? 'H lt T J ? 1 ? ly 1 lo ? k at the f ew who stood around. 

A ar S k ’ ^ P ^ or y e w hin I see you, me frind.” 

+/ 0 tJi? V i11 n< ? play again until y° u see me?” 

Iroth, 1 11 not trust ye, sor; it’s a long second 
that lays bet wane your fourteen minutes, nointv- 
nom seconds, and your fifteen minutes. How what 
a ^ at >X e spalpeens?” glaring at the 

crowd which had suddenly increased and were 
snickering at his wonderful arithmetical knowledge. 

How many seconds in a minute anyhow Pat ? ” 
asked a voice. ’ 

“A hoonderd, av coorse, bad louck to yez. How 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


139 


many would ye want, ye greedy thafe of the 
worruld?” 

“There’s only sixty, Pat?” 

“Oh, yer drunk!” cried the Irishman, wildly. 
“Say, mister,” to a man who was walking by, not 
especially interested in the scene, but inclined 
rather to keep aloof, “have ye a watch, may I have 
the bad manners to ax ye?” 

The man addressed passed on, pretending not to 
hear the request, while the so-called Pat, amidst the 
laughter of his audience, stood in his half-bent man- 
ner gazing curiously after the retreating form of the 
stranger. 

“Now there’s a man as is a gentleman,” he mut- 
tered; “he don’t have no time to stop and say 
there’s sixty seconds in a minute when he knows 
there’s a hoonderd. Och, the ignorance of some peo- 
ple!” and crouching down over his organ again, he 
became oblivious to his surroundings. 

Even the request to grind his melodious instru- 
ment was unheeded. 

But at last his withered old face brightened. 

“There she is now; may I rid mesilf foriver of 
this place!” and he hobbled along toward the train 
with the organ on his back. 

The brakeman, after inquiring his destination, as- 
sisted him to mount the steps, and soon he was en- 
sconced in the back seat, his beloved instrument at 
his side. 

Using it as a pillowjie settled himself in a reclin- 
ing position, and was soon apparently fast asleep ; 
but just as the train started with a slight jerk he 
half opened his eyes, and caught a glimpse of an 
every day laborer entering the car with a dinner 
bucket in one hand and a shovel on his shoulder. 

The man referred to walked the length of the car, 
as if hesitating what seat to take. 

As he passed the organ-grinder, a small slip of 
brown paper fell from his hand to the feet of the 
reclining man. 

A brakeman at the door barred his further pro- 
gress, stating that he was not permitted to go into 
the next car ; so with a muttered word of anger he 


140 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


walked back and sat down in a central seat where 
he deposited his utensils, and, like many others, 
prepared for a nap. 

In the meantime the Irishman, evidently not rest- 
ing easy, fidgetted about a while, and then sat up- 
right. 

Stooping ostensibly to fasten his shoe, his fingers 
closed over the piece of brown paper. 

Placing it on his knee, and smoothing it out with 
his dirty hand, as if he were examining with some 
anxiety the state of his pantaloons in that locality, 
he read the words hastily written : 

“Spotted one of them — drummer— plug hat — 
brown valise — mustache ditto.” 

Pat’s bleared eyes traversed the car in a half 
sleepy, wholly idiotic, stare. 

Seated across from him, and at a little distance 
ahead, was a man answering this description. 

His eyes were fixed oh the organ-grinder in a way 
which indicated that he was studying that individ- 
ual’s physiognomy with what success however his 
own countenance gave no indication. 

“Same fellow as hadn’t time to tell me he had or 
hadn’t a watch. Wonder where the other one is?” 

The “other one,” if, indeed, there was another 
one, did not seem to have any existence just then. 

The drummer seemed wholly alone, and after the 
analysis to which he subjected the organ-grinder, 
he returned to his cigar, and puffed away to his 
heart’s content. Not a singjp look or sign showed 
that he knew any one in the car. 

“A part of their game,” soliloquized the man of 
music, “but it doesn’t throw me off the track; 
guess I’ll go to sleep now,” and he once more leaned 
on the organ, which gave forth a dismal groan at 
this double imposition. 

Scarcely had he assumed his reclining position 
when the back door opened, and a gentleman en- 
tered, evidently for the purpose of having a smoke. 

“Hello, Pat,” he cried, as the train rattled away 
in the darkness, “why isn’t your music going?” 

Pat opened his eyes, and looked at his interlocu- 
tor sleepily. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


141 


“Oh, it’s yersilf, is it? Faith, I didn’t know my 
fifteen minutes was up.” 

“Pat, Pat! I’m afraid you’re a hard case. A man 
as old as you, with one foot in the grave, ought to 
be more careful of his language ; truth is as becom- 
ing to old age as respect is to youth.” 

“Then answer me wan question, me youthful, re- 
spectful friend.” 

“Certainly.” 

“I would loike to know which fut ye mane.” 

The stranger laughed, and passed on. 

A moment later he had sat down with the drum- 
mer, as the other seats were full. Pat shook his head. 

“He’s not the other one, anyhow. Younger is not 
in this car, that I am sure of. Now, where is he?” 

In the course of time the stranger finished his 
cigar and went back into the car from which he had 
come, but as Pat was fast asleep he thought it best 
not to disturb his slumbers. 

The train finally stopped at a station, and the la- 
borer, picking up his bucket and shovel, left the 
car. 

The drummer, who was still smoking, gave no in- 
dication of having noticed his departure. 

Several other passengers alighted from the train 
at this point, and a few came aboard, among them 
a man who seemed very much like a farmer. 

He hesitated for a time which car to take, but at 
last concluded to go into the second apartment. 

Once there he, in his halting, verdant way, slipped 
into a seat beside a ministerial looking personage 
with side whiskers, a broadcloth suit, and a habit 
of folding and rubbing his hands with such a sanc- 
timonious air as to betray his profession outside of 
any ocular evidence to the same purpose. 

“Any objection to me takin’ part of this here 
seat?” asked the verdant gentleman, with a sheep- 
ish, timid look. 

“None in the least,” and the minister, with the 
blandest of smiles, immediately made room for him. 

“Are you going far?” he inquired a moment later, 
thinking to make himself companionable. 


H2 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


“I don’t mind tellin’ you. I’m agoin’ to Chicago/' 

“Indeed! Quite a distance to travel.” 

“Yes, but that’s what I want. You see I’ve lived 
on a farm alius ; I ’spect you know that from mt 
’pearance; and dad says t’other day, says dad, 
‘Simeon, you’ve stayed to home and worked purty 
hard this year; how would you like to take a trip? 
How would you like to go to Chicago?’ Gosh! who 
wouldn’t like to go to Chicago? So I packed up a 
lunch in this here basket, put on my best clothes,” 
looking with no little pride at the faded and ill-fit- 
ting suit he wore, “and here I am. What’s more, 
I’m goin’ to stay two hull days in the city, and see 
the intire business. I’ve got ten dollars besides my 
ticket,” and he slapped his pocket with great gusto. 

The clergyman looked with much interest at this 
pardonable display of enthusiasm. 

“So this is your first visit to the Windy City?” 

“The what city, did you say?” inquired the coun- 
tryman, in some alarm. “Not the Windy City?” 

“To be sure. That is what they call it.” 

“Ef that’s the case,” said the other, looking 
around for his basket in manifest fear, “ef that’s 
the case, why, I don’t go there. No cyclones or hur- 
ricanes for me, if you please!” 

“Oh, you misunderstand me altogether,” the min- 
ister remarked, smiling in spite of hin^self. “Chi- 
cago is no more subject to storms than your own 
country home, doubtless ; although, of course, the 
lake breeze is sometimes rather lively. That is why 
people give it that name.” 

“Sho! is that all. I was raally beginnin’ to be 
skeered from the way you was talkin’. Air you 
goin’ there?” 

“Possibly. If some friends I expect to meet me 

at S are not there, I shall be obliged to go on to 

Chicago.” 

“You’ve traveled a heap, I reckon?” 

“Yes, considerably,” with a complacent look in 
his reverend countenance. “My business has com- 
pelled me to go many a mile.” 

“Preacher, I reckon?” 

“A good guess. How did you know?” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


143 


“Oh, I ain’t so green as I look. I’ve saw preach- 
ers afore ; yes, lots of ’em, some purty slick ones 
like yourself, and some not so slick, ruther seedy- 
lookin’ and half starved like, and all of ’em with big 
families. How many childer mought you hev, 
mister?” 

“Only three.” 

“Is that all? Oh, well, you’re young yet.” 

A half hour had passed thus in aimless conversa- 
tion, when suddenly th'ere came a crash, and a 
shiver as of dread passed over the car which the 
next instant rolled over on its side, amid the cries 
of deadly alarm that issued from the throats of the 
passengers. 


CHAPTER XXIY. 

THE BANDIT, THE TRAMP, AND A LUMP OF COAL. 

The organ-grinder suddenly awoke and looked 
around in a vacant way. 

As the conductor was passing the old fellow 
caught him by the elbow, and said, somewhat ex- 
citedly : 

“Say, conductor, ye haven’t gone and passed me 
station, have ye?” 

“No; yours is the next stop. Better not go to 
sleep again.” 

“All right, sor ; faith an’ I’ll not trust mesilf in 
the arms of Morbos agin.” 

By the time the train stopped at the desired sta- 
tion the organ-grinder had gathered all his posses- 
sions, and was ready to alight. 

He hobbled away, feeling that the drummer’s 
eyes were following his every movement. 

He had not disappeared around the station more 
than a minute when from that direction came a man 
ragged and dirty, a veritable tramp, and a most ill- 
looking customer at that. 

The train had begun to move, but with an agile 
run he reached the steps, and entered the forward 
car. 

The drummer had changed his position, and was 


144 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


W 

now on the side opposite the station. He had been 
watching the passengers who were getting off or 
on, and had most likely seen the organ-grinder take 
his departure, but so far he had not noticed the 
entrance of the tramp. 

The conductor had his eye on the fellow, however, 
probably thinking that he might have trouble in col- 
lecting his fare ; and when he got a close glimpse of 
that evil countenance, he made up his mind that he 
had not seen so tough a mail, as far as appearances 
went, for many a day. 

“Ticket, sir,” he said a moment later. 

The tramp turned the axis of his vision upon the 
official in an impudent stare. 

“Haven’t none.” 

“Your money, then.” 

“How much to Chicago?’’ with an attempt to 
speak as low as possible. 

The amount was named, and the fellow dived 
down into his rags, fishing therefrom a collection of 
bills of various denominations. 

He slowy counted out the money, and handed it 
over to the conductor. 

“There you are, neighbor. Suppose you didn’t 
think I hadn’t nothing,” finishing up this decidedly 
negative sentence with an evil chuckle. 

The railroad man passed on without reply, glad 
that he had experienced so little trouble in collect- 
ing his fare, while the tramp, after settling himself 
comfortably, stared into vacancy, probably ruminat- 
ing where and under what circumstances he would 
pass the next night. 

In the midst of his musings came an awful crash, 
and he at once realized that there had been a collis- 
ion or wreck. 

He was somewhat shaken up himself, but he did 
not fail to notice that the drummer was on his feet 
in a moment, fighting his way out of the car in the 
greatest hurry and trepidation. 

“I’ll follow the gentleman,” muttered the man of 
rags; “he evidently means business of some kind, 
and 1 must find out what it is.” 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


145 


So without particular exertion he worked his way 
forward until he found himself in the open air. 

He now saw that a broken rail had been the 
cause of the disaster. 

The engine was still in an upright position, though 
off the track, and all the cars were more or less 
damaged. 

Several passengers had been injured, though for- 
tunately no one was killed, but it would take hours 
to clear the track. 

The drummer had in the meantime approached 
the engineer, and was talking earnestly to him. The 
latter shook his head occasionally in such a manner 
as to lead one to believe that he was being asked a 
favor, and was obliged to refuse it. 

“Ah, the gentleman does mean business; now 
we’ll see how he’s going to accomplish it.” 

Suddenly bethinking himself, the tramp went 
back to the second car, which he found to have been 
overturned. 

He entered, and passed on until he came to a man 
who had evidently been injured, as he at times gave 
utterance to a moan, and was clearly unable to 
walk. 

“Stranger, you seem to be hurt, from the fuss you 
are makin’.” 

“I am, dod rot it ! I’m in a purty bad fix, I guess.” 

“I guess you are, myself. You’re most gone, I 
allow. Where do you want your body sent?” 

The injured man looked a little alarmed at this 
cool question, but he at once gave vent to a laugh. 

‘“Oh, I’m not so bad hurt as all that. I’ve had 
my leg wrenched a little, but I’ll soon be able to 
walk.” 

“Was you ridin’ with anybody?” 

A significant look passed between the couple. 

“Yes, a preacher set with me, a mighty slick one, 
too, and he was goin’ to Chicago same as me. When 
the crash come he up and out like a flash o’ light- 
nin’, guess he wasn’t any more anxious than the 
rest of us to pass in his checks.” 

The tramp leaned down as if to examine the 
other’s wound. 


146 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“I guess I’ll have to leave you, Bill. I see they’re 
up to some dodge. One of them was talking to the 
engineer a moment ago, and I wouldn’t be surprised 
if they were to make an effort to push on in some 
way. Get along the best way you can, and follow 
on the next train if you are able. Maybe when you 
arrive in Chicago I’ll have some news for you.” 

The tramp, as if satisfied with the examination, 
made the stranger as comfortable as he could, con- 
sidering the position of the car, and then passed 
out. 

The drummer was still talking to the engineer, but 
he had now been joined by the minister, who was 
half listening, while apparently inspecting the dam- 
age done the engine. 

At that moment a cloud of smoke arose ahead of 
them, and an engine, unaccompanied with cars, was 
seen approaching. 

It stopped a short distance away when the men on 
board saw what had happened. 

Scarcely had the wheels ceased to revolve when 
the drummer and clergyman were at the side of the 
locomotive. 

“Engineer, how far is it to B ?” 

“Seven miles.” 

“How long is it until the next train starts west- 
ward from that point?” 

“In ten minutes precisely,” looking at his watch. 

The two men clambered into the engine. 

“Engineer, a great many people are injured 
among the cars back there, who will need medical 
attendance at the earliest practicable moment. We 
wish to get away on the train you spoke of, and will 

give you fifty dollars if you can get us to B in 

sufficient time to catch it. Quick! what do you 
say?” 

The engineer hesitated. 

“Remember if is to bring back physicians and aid 
generally, as well as to carry us forward.” 

The engineer placed his hand on the lever ; there 
was a succession of puffs, a grinding of wheels, a 
streak of smoke, and to the wonder of the passen- 
gers who had witnessed a small part of the scene, 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


147 


the locomotive, with its occupants, was out of sight 
in a flash. 

The tramp had seen all this, and in a moment di- 
vined the object of the two gentlemen. 

As soon as he saw them enter the cab he ran along 
the track unperceived, yet only by the greatest exer- 
tion did he succeed in reaching the tender in time to 
become a passenger. 

He clambered up, and placed himself so as to re- 
main concealed from those in front, but his position 
was one of great danger, inasmuch as he was mo- 
mentarily in risk of being thrown from his perch by 
the rough motion of the engine. 

The ground seemed to slip from under him with 
the rapidity of lightning, and every now and then 
the rays of the lising sun fell upon the glistening 
rails like the flashing of diamonds.- 

“This is glorious!” cried the tramp, his voice 
broken into a thousand fragments by the constant 
jolting. “I could ride forever in such a place as this 
if it would only take me as fast to fame and for- 
tune.” 

The two gentlemen in the cab began to feel easy. 

“We’ve outwitted them at last,” said the clergy- 
man, in tones that could be heard only by the drum- 
mer, seeing that the trainmen were too much en- 
gaged in their work to think of listening, even 
could they have heard. 

“It’s taken hard work, though,” was the reply. 
“I was a long time getting on to the organ-grinder, 
but when he disappeared I was altogether lost. If 
he was on the train afterward it was in a disguise I 
didn’t penetrate. That Belton’s a deep man, I can 
tell you.” 

“I reckon you don’t know whom I rode with part 
of the way?” 

“Maybe another of them.” 

“Exactly ; Bill Jones, in the shape of a green coun- 
tryman, had the audacity to sit down alongside of 
me for about two hours.” 

“Rather risky business for him.” 

“It wouldn’t have been, had an accident not oc- 
curred that overthrew his calculations and put me 


148 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


on my feet. He leaned forward to place his basket 
on the floor of the car, when an envelope slipped 
part way out of his pocket. I saw the address, 4 Wil- 
liam Jones, Minneapolis,’ and even then was unwill- 
ing to believe the evidence of my own eyes, so well 
had he carried out his role ; but when I asked him 
his name and he told me it was Simeon Davis, I 
was convinced of his identity. As he was hurt, how- 
ever, I don’t suppose he can do us any harm.” 

“We’d best keep a sharp lookout for him any- 
how.” 

The drummer, Jim Younger, in other words, was 
uneasy ; he felt as if he were not safe, and that their 
plan were quite likely to miscarry. Obeying a cu- 
rious impulse, he clambered over the heap of coal in 
the tender, and steadying himself on the top as 
well as he was able, he looked about him. 

The engine was speeding along at a frightful 
rate, and swayed from side to side in its wild career. 

What was that almost at his feet? 

A head, a human head, bobbing up and down, 
now visible, now invisible, the hat torn and dilapi- 
dated, with a tangled lock escaping from a rent in 
texture. 

A tramp, was Jim’s first thought, availing himself 
of the exhilaration of a free ride ; then came to mind 
the remembrance of the dirty looking individual 
who had gotten on the cars some distance back, but 
where? 

Ah ! the same place at which the organ-grinder 
had alighted. 

Jim leaned farther forward, but while he gained 
a more complete view, still it was not convincing ; 
the tramp was too well disguised, if disguise he 
wore at all, to betray his identity. Notwithstand- 
ing, in that moment of uncertainty, the bandit had 
decided that the tramp must die. 

It would not do to take any chances in the matter ; 
if the fellow should turn out to be Belton, well and 
good ; if not, then the world would be rid of one 
more tramp. 

He placed his hand on his revolver, but the noise 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


149 


of a shot would doubtless be heard by the engine- 
men. 

A much better and safer plan! 

The engine at that moment was thundering over 
a bridge ; seizing a lump of coal, he leaned over and 
dropped it on the head of the .tramp, who instantly 
disappeared from view, only to reappear in the frac- 
tion of a second, whirling through the air at a 
sickening rate, until a sudden lurch cut off from his 
view the fate of the man he had hurled to sudden 
death. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

MYRA A PRISONER. 

‘ ‘ Quick !” cried one of the conspirators. “Let us 
get out of this place.” 

Seizing the unconscious girl, the two women who 
were in the room carried her into the next apart- 
ment, and Mary, whom our readers doubtless know 
to he Irene, locked the door, as the front door was 
broken by a couple of men who in passing by had 
heard Myra’s scream, and had stopped to investi- 
gate. 

One of them struck a match, but of course found 
the room empty. 

They then attempted to open the middle door, and 
found it locked on the other side. By the time they 
had succeeded in forcing it the birds had flown, leav- 
ing only a few unsatisfactory tracks behind. 

The affair was reported to the police authorities, 
but was not unraveled by the guardians of the 
peace. 

In the meantime the abductors passed through the 
tumble-down kitchen, down the ill-smelling' back 
yard, and reached the alley gate. 

Here a cab was in waiting, and in it was placed 
the still unconscious form of Myra. 

Irene and one of the men seated themselves inside 
to prevent any outcry on the part of the helpless 
girl when she should return to consciousness, while 
the remaining man took his seat beside the driver. 


150 


BOB YOUNGEB’S FATE. 


“See here,” said the latter, uneasily; “I don’t 
like the looks of this. I’m afraid you’re going to 
get me into trouble.” 

“Not a bit of it, my good fellow,” was the per- 
suasive reply of the other. “Whip up your nags, 
and I’ll tell you why.” 

“But I don’t see how you are goin’ to explain 
away an abduction case.” 

“This way; at a convenient spot you get off, and 
I become driver. You don’t know where I go, and 
I don’t care about you knowing ; but as you get paid 
well just the same, you needn’t care. In time I 
return with your outfit none the worse for the wear, 
and jump off ; you again become driver. Isn’t it 
plain enough?” 

“It is, if somethin’ doesn’t leak out.” 

“Don’t let it leak out then; we won’t. No harm 
is intended to the young lady, and I wouldn’t be 
surprised to hear of this same cab taking her back.” 

“I would,” was the terse reply of the driver as he 
applied the whip, mentally resolving that if he ever 
got safely out of this scrape he’d keep clear of any 
further entanglements of the same nature. 

In half an hour they had reached the outskirts of 
the city, and here, at the command of his compan- 
ion, the driver pulled up his horses. 

“Get out here, and wait until I come back.” 

“How long will you be away?” 

“An hour, maybe,” and he had driven off like a 
flash. 

The driver walked about in perturbation for an 
hour, fearful one moment that he would never see 
his team again, and at another that he had suc- 
ceeded in getting himself into a position of extreme 
danger. 

In the midst of his dismal forebodings he was 
overjoyed to see the cab approaching at a rapid 
rate, the horses reeking with sweat. 

“Are you the man that owns the rig?” cried the 
driver, in tones that the owner had never heard be- 
fore. 

“I guess so.” 

“Then take the dodrotted thing off my hands, for 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


151 


I’m tired drivin’ it. A fellow ran across me back 
there a couple of miles^-he was drivin’ the concern 
— and says, ‘I’ll give you two dollars if you drive 
this team into town, provided you’re goin’ in that 
direction,’ and he named this place. As I was 
cornin’ to town anyway, I concluded I couldn’t earn 
two dollars any easier, and secure a free ride, too ; 
so I hopped on as he hopped off, and here we are. 
Sure the team is your’n?” 

“Yes, it’s mine,” snapped the owner, examining 
his belongings preparatory to his departure, while 
the stranger made his way to the nearest saloon. 

“A nice dodge to elude capture if a policeman had 
been here waiting to take him in. Guess he didn’t 
trust me very far, or he’d have druv the cab back 
himself.” 

What had become of Myra? 

After Charlie Pitts, for such one of the kidnappers 
was, had assumed the duties of driver, the horses 
sped along on the same way that Stark, Howard, 
and Scott had taken a few nights before. 

In less than half an hour they drew up in an ob- 
scure wooded place, and Myra, who had in the 
meantime been gagged, was removed, set on her 
feet, and ordered to go along with them quietly. 

Clell Miller, agreeable to previous arrangements, 
mounted the box, turned the horses’ heads toward 
town, and drove away, while Myra, knowing that 
resistance would be vain, did as she was told, notic- 
ing. all the while that the party was pursuing a most 
circuitous route, doubtless intended to blind any 
possible pursuers as to their final destination. 

A gloomy building was finally seen in the dark- 
ness, and into the dreary place Myra was led, just 
as Theo Howard had been, and in the same room 
where he had first been placed, she was also seated, 
and the same smoky lamp began shortly to cast the 
same dim rays over the same moldy floor, dirty 
walls, and cobwebby ceiling. 

As Myra’s eyes fell upon her maid she started 
back in horror. 

“Are you a prisoner, too?” she asked, as she 
looked fearfully around the apartment. 


152 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“Oh, no, Miss Ferry; you see- I’m free, don’t 
you?” with a careless laugh. 

Seeing that the girl was completely bewildered, 
she added, maliciously : 

“This is one of the rewards of meddling with 
what does not concern you.” 

“I fail to grasp your meaning, Mary.” 

“Oh, you’ll have abundant time to digest the 
whole situation. It will come to you by degrees ; 
you will be thoroughly initiated by the time you are 
through with us.” 

“You have been acting apart to-day?” 

“Exactly, and a most enjoyable one. Your mother 
is such a sympathetic old lady, and fell quite in love 
with me. In fact, I really believe I almost capti- 
vated you.” 

“What is the object of this outrage?” asked Myra, 
assuming what calmness she could. 

“You know Detective Belton, of course?” 

“Well?” 

“You are supposed to possess some of the infor- 
mation that he held.” 

“Held?” 

“Just so. Which means that your slippery friend 
of many disguises has taken his departure to a bet- 
ter world, at least to a world in which disguises are 
unknown. The fact is, he assumed a disguise just 
once too often entered my house in his meddling 
way, and consequently paid the penalty.” 

“This can’t be true!” gasped Myra, credulous de- 
spite her assertion. 

“Perfectly true, unless the gentleman can live 
under water, and that, I believe, is not one of his 
accomplishments. ” 

“An awful fate.” 

“But a deserved one. How, as he is disposed of, 
let us turn our attention to yourself. What discovery 
did you make at poor Howard’s grave that night 
you visited it?” 

“I shall not answer any questions.” 

“Very well; but as you were not brought here to 
be questioned solely, your * reticence will be cheer- 
fully passed by. We are about to remove you to 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


153 


another apartment which lies in a more central 
portion of the building, and from which you will be 
less likely to escape should you be so inclined.” 

With these words Myra was led out of the room, 
and along the hall toward the rear of the house. 

Here a room was entered, very similar to the one 
in which Theo was incarcerated, except that it was 
provided with a more comfortable bed. 

‘‘This,” said Irene, as she was about to take her 
departure, “will be your home for a time. Make 
yourself mistress of the situation. You will not 
have much in this lonely place to amuse you, but 
meditation will be doubtless beneficial to one of 
your disposition.” 

“How long shall I be compelled to remain in this 
place?” with a shudder of dread at her gloomy sur- 
roundings. 

“That depends. For my part, I hope it will not 
be long, as I am anxious to leave this part of the 
country, and that as soon as possible. Before I go, 
by the way, I want to tell you that I knew your 
lover when he was alive ; was quite intimate with 
him, in fact, just previous to his death. Oh, these 
men ! You can’t trust them!” 


CHAPTER XXYI. 

MYRA’S ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. 

Myra’s cheeks blanched. 

“Why do you try to make me miserable with 
your vile insinuations?” her indignation rising in 
defense of her lover. 

“I am simply relating history. I thought you 
would be delighted to learn of his last acts, such a 
solace would the recital prove in your grief.” 

“I wish to know nothing. Even if it were the 
truth, it would do no good to ascertain that Theo 
was no better than he should have been, though 
that I will never believe.” 

“Trustful woman ! How happy are they who will 
not listen to the truth ; yet this is a matter which 
you should know.” 


154 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“If he is dead, what good would it do to resurrect 
such painful stories, whether they be truthful or 
not?” 

“Just as you say, for I presume you would not lis- 
ten if I did tell you, so I think it high time to leave 
you to ruminate over the virtuous qualities of the 
deceased.” 

With a mocking word of farewell the heartless 
Irene was gone. 

Myra sank on the bed in a passion of grief. 

Torn from the arms of her fond parents, snatched 
with violence from her luxurious home, and forced 
to exist in this vile place, it seemed to her at the 
time that death would be infinitely preferable to 
life. 

Then Theo, with his tender love and oft-spoken 
hopes, arose before her imagination — Theo might be 
alive somewhere, waiting for freedom and a joyful 
reunion with his promised wife ; she would live for 
him, she would escape and find him herself, if no 
one else would help her. 

Slowly, in spite of her brave resolution, the night 
dragged along ; she could not sleep on account of 
her strange situation and the fearful forebodings 
that harassed her ; but as a glow of light began to 
show in the east she dropped off into a calm slum- 
ber, in which she dreamed that she was not only at 
home, but that Theo was with her again, his cruel 
death a mistake, his undying love a glorious cer- 
tainty. 

In this room there was one window that opened 
through the massive stone wall, and it was heavily 
barred with pieces of iron ; but bars of iron could 
not keep out the penetrating rays of the sun which 
fell in a warm glow upon the opposite wall. 

Myra slept soundly for three hours, and as she 
awoke her eyes fell upon this welcome visitor to her 
prison. 

She took it as a good omen, and rising from her 
couch she made her toilet as well as she was able. 
She then sat down, and awaited the issue of events. 

In a short time Irene put in an appearance, and 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


155 


with the same mocking smile as of old bade her 
prisoner a good-morning. 

What a wonderful change she exhibited from the 
modest waiting-maid of yesterday ! 

“How well you look to-day. Like a very queen, 
in fact. By the way, that is a pet name which has 
often been applied to your humble visitor. Your 
lover was accustomed to call me Queenie, a name 
which I thought was extremely pretty, coming as it 
did from his lips.” 

Myra paid no attention to this thrust, her calm 
face not giving any sign that it had even been 
heard. 

“You evidently don’t believe me?” 

“What is your errand?” 

“To bring you your breakfast. You must really 
excuse our lack of hospitality, which at the present 
is unavoidable. Our larder is almost empty, but we 
have great hopes that it will shortly be replenished 
to overflowing. And whose money do you imagine 
will bring about this magic change?” 

“It does not interest me in the least.” 

“But it doubtless will when I tell you that our 
good fortune comes to us through Theo Howard. Of 
course, my dear woman, you look incredulous — I 
expected that; but incredulity does not obliterate 
truth. As you have nothing else to do, just listen to 
a charming story which has the additional recom- 
mendation of being all true, and which in the tell- 
ing will not interfere with the progress of the plot, 
because its consummation can scarcely be pre- 
vented now.” 

With this introduction Irene began the relation 
of the story as has been narrated in these pages, 
omitting all reference to Theo’s experiences after 
his supposed death and burial ; and Myra was forced 
to believe when she saw the conspiracy in all its im- 
mensity. 

“But what will be done with me?” she asked, 
quaking at heart on account of her deadly periL 

“Oh, the band will decide your fate,” the other 
replied, quietly; “I have nothing to do with that. 
Only pray that the kindest and best behaved one of 


156 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


the eight will select you as the partner of his joys 
and sorrows.” 

She soon went away, leaving Myra to the poor 
breakfast that had been placed before her. 

All day the lonely girl sat in the uncomfortable 
chair, or paced the room, momentarily fearing the 
entrance of one of the oultaws, as that of a savage 
animal, but not until evening was she disturbed, 
and then Irene came in with her supper. 

But little was said between them, and Irene soon 
disappeared. 

Another night of weary, wakeful vigil, and then 
another beautiful day had begun ; but Myra was still 
a prisoner. 

After a breakfast that was inferior both in quan- 
tity and quality, the girl set about putting her room 
into something like a semblance of order. Her couch 
was stirred up and aired, and then a few pieces of 
rubbish that lay about the floor were thrown into 
one corner on a pile of moldy straw. 

“Maybe there is some implement in that corner, 
by means of which I can free myself,” she thought, 
as she began to move the straw about with her foot, 
thereby raising a cloud of dust and mold. 

She reached the floor, however, without finding 
anything more than* a few sticks not exceeding a 
foot in length. 

But the most important discovery she made was 
the fact that underneath this filth the floor had 
rotted away, until it would scarcely support her 
weight. 

The rain had crept in through a leak above and 
saturated the rubbish, which in turn had carried 
the process of decomposition into the wood. 

Pausing a moment to fetill th6 loud beating of her 
heart, Myra seized one of the heaviest of the sicks, 
and beat away the decayed portion of the floor, 
finally making an opening large enough to allow 
her body to pass through. 

The plaster and laths of the ceiling belonging to 
the room underneath were thus exposed, and a few 
determined blows soon disposed of that obstruction. 

Protruding her head through the aperture just 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


157 


made, she attempted to explore the new chamber, 
but the light was so dim that she could define noth- 
ing. 

It was unoccupied. 

Breathing her thanks to Heaven for what she be- 
lieved was a means of escape, she quickly restored 
that corner of her room to something like its origi- 
nal appearance, and then awaited the coming of 
night, when she proposed to put her plan into execu- 
tion. 

She knew that there would be little chance for 
her to leave the building unperceived while the day 
lasted, but was almost confident that she could find 
her way out, and reach a place of safety under the 
friendly cover of night. 

All day long she paced the floor in restlessness, 
her cheeks flushed with excitement and the hope of 
escape, yet dreading every moment that some fatal 
interruption would come. , 

At dusk Irene came in with the scanty supper, but 
stayed only a few minutes. 

In an hour complete darkness had fallen over the 
place, and Myra, through the narrow window, could 
see one bright star that seemed to beckon her to lib- 
erty. 

Waiting no longer, she thrust the rubbish aside, 
uttered a fervent prayer for help, and gathering her 
dress closely about her form, slipped through the 
opening, at the same time holding on with both 
hands. 

For a moment or two she dangled wildly in the 
air, and then let go her hold. 

She dropped on the floor a little shaken, but unin- 
jured, and then began to examine the apartment, 
which she found to be a basement room, and much 
more miserable than the one she had just left. 

The door was open, and she passed out into what 
appeared to- be a hall, at one end of which was a 
flight of stairs. 

By feeling her way cautiously, she succeeded in 
reaching the floor above, and found herself in 
another hall, where there was a dim light. 

To her horror she discovered a group of men 


158 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


seated at the front door ; the very men who had ab- 
ducted her. 

Escape in that direction was cut off. 

Back she turned, sick at heart, and passed slowly 
down the stairs, determined to search for a different 
exit, but at that moment she heard a succession of 
shouts from the party she was just attempting to 
avoid, and doubted not that she had been discovered. 

She waited not an instant, however, as every sec- 
ond’s delay was only the more dangerous to her, 
and turned toward the left. 

The first door resisted her attempts to open it ; it 
was fastened on the inside. The second was also 
fastened,' bur to her joy she saw that the bolts were 
on the side next to her. 

A moment’s hasty fumbling withdrew them, and 
she entered. 

The occupant, for there was one, made- a move- 
ment of some kind, and exclaimed in the familiar 
and loved tones which had once been so much to 
her: 

“Who’s there?” 

Her heart stopped its wild and tumultuous beat- 
ing. 

“Theo!” she cried, and then fell lifeless' to the 
floor. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

THE VISIT 10 DOCTOR HINDS. 

As the engine drew up near the depot at B 

Jim Younger joined his brother. 

“I had quite an experience back there.” 

“How’s that?” asked Bob. 

“I just dropped an extra passenger.” 

“Who was he?” 

“Belton, I guess, dressed up as a tramp.” 

“How did you get rid of him?” 

“Let a lump of coal fall on him. If he isn’t dead 
by this time it is because he must have alighted on 
a feather bed.” 

Leaping from the engine the two brothers made a 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


159 


dash for the train which was just on the point of 
starting, and left the astonished engineer to make 
such explanation as he chose to the railroad offi- 
cials, as well as to lose the fifty dollars which had 
been promised him. 

“Safe at last!” cried Bob, as the two secured a 
seat. 

“I’ll breathe easy only when I have the money 
right in my hands; then I’d defy all the powers 
that be to wrest it from my grasp,” remarked Jim, 
wiping the perspiration from his brow. 

“If we were but certain that Belton has passed in 
his checks. He’s likely to turn up at the last mo- 
ment and spoil all of our plans. By the way, it was 
only through a miracle that he, in my estimation, 
escaped the fate that Irene intended for him. She 
was certain he was done for that time.” 

“Well, if he escaped instant annihilation a few 
minutes ago, then I’ll say he’s death-proof.” 

In due time the couple arrived in Chicago, and 
went directly to the residence of Dr. Hinds. 

“Is the doctor at home?” asked Bob of the ser- 
vant who appeared in answer to his knock. 

“Yes, sir; just step in.” 

Ten minutes later Mr. Hinds, an ordinary looking 
but kindly-faced man, entered the room. 

“Do you know me, doctor?” asked Bob, with a 
smile. 

“Do I know you? Of course I do, Mr. Younger,” 
giving him a hearty shake of the hand. “But I was 
scarcely expecting to see you here.” 

“And I scarcely expected a few days ago to be 
here.” 

“A sudden errand, then?” 

“You are right. I have a claimant for the How- 
ard fortune.” 

Dr. Hinds’ eye for the first time rested upon Bob’s 
companion. 

“I understood from your letters that Mr. Howard 
met his death a few days since ; in fact, I read the 
account in the daily papers,” said the physician, 
doubtfully. 

“Oh, yes; the young man met a sudden as well as 


160 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


an awful fate. I do not remember of ever having 
heard of a sadder case.” 

“You are positive of his identity with Samuel 
Howard’s nephew?” 

“Positive; I have all the proofs with me; but un- 
fortunately, there is another serious phase to the 
matter.” 

“And that?” 

“Theo Howard died deeply in debt. It was a 
strange condition of affairs to find, on examining his 
accounts, that he owed a hundred thousand dollars 
to one person.” 

“Is it possible? And he so young.” 

“The saddest part of a very sad affair, in my esti- 
mation. It seems that he was seized by a speculat- 
ing mania, and on being successful at first he went 
deeper, intending to secure a fortune at one stroke, 
but lost all. This gentleman, Julian Stark, can ex- 
plain the affair at greater length than I am able,” 
looking with a deep frown at the person indicated. 

Julian Stark, otherwise Jim Younger, bowled 
stiffly, as if offended at the words of introduction. 

“Mr. Younger evidently intends to throw discredit 
upon me and my business methods,” he said, an- 
grily; “but I wish both you and him to understand 
that the debt was contracted in a legitimate way, 
and will be collected in like manner.” 

“Let him collect it, then,” said Bob, in an equally 
angry tone, and seizing his hat he was about to 
withdraw, when the doctor in some trepidation 
stopped him. 

“Cannot we settle this matter among us three, 
gentlemen? You will remember that Mr. Howard's 
distinct wish was a settlement without going to law 
about it.” 

“I would prefer to have nothing to do with it,” 
said Bob, firmly. “Dispose of it to suit yourselves.” 

“But how about the proofs?” 

“Oh, the proofs are all right. Theo owed Stark, 
and his signature appended to the note in the gentle- 
man’s possession is genuine. This man is Stark ; 
of that you need have no doubt, much as I dislike to 
tell you so. As I knew Theo was in debt to him, I 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


161 


was obliged to impart the information that a for- 
tune had fallen to the young man. Having not a 
relative in the world to whom the money in turn 
could be bequeathed, I thought it only just that this 
man should have his dues, though I still firmly be- 
lieve that he used undue influencee in persuading 
young Howard to go into speculation.” 

‘'He was of age,” said the supposed Stark, grimly. 

"May I see you a moment alone, Mr. Younger?” 
inquired Dr. Hinds. 

"Certainly,” and he led his visitor to" a side apart- 
ment. 

"Now, what do you think of the case?” he asked, 
anxiously. 

"There is no doubt of the matter in my mind. He 
can collect the money if he goes to law.” 

"Then it would be better to pay him at once?” 

"Don’t be in too big a hurry about it. Wait until 
you see and examine his proofs, then there will be 
time to pay him what money he claims.” 

"I shall trust considerably to your advice, though 
if he is Stark, and Howard owed him that amount, 
there need be no delay in handing it over.” 

"How much did the elder Howard leave?” 

"A hundred and three thousand dollars.” 

"Stark 'will make a pretty clean sweep of the 
plater.” 

"Exactly. Had the debt been larger you and I 
would have some little difficulty in retaining our 
share of the money.” 

"By the way, doctor, would it be too much trouble 
to give me my portion now? My business is in such 
shape that I cannot remain long ; and as I have not 
the least idea when I shall be in Chicago again, I 
might as well get it now provided it is convenient to 
you, and you are reasonably sure that everything is 
straight.” 

"Wait a moment, and I’ll get it for you,” and the 
innocent physician was out of the room and up 
stairs in a moment, unaware that Bob had followed 
him just far enough to locate the room he entered. 

An interval of five minutes found him back, with 
a roll of money in his hand. 


162 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“Count this,” he said. 

Bob did so, and found everything all right. 

“Now I shall leave you to deal with this man,” 
he remarked, in taking his departure. “Remem- 
ber, though, that if you are not satisfied with his 
proofs, keep him waiting until you are. Even go to 
Minneapolis and make him prove his identity. ” 

“I believe that will be the better plan,” said the 
doctor, as he shook hands with Bob; “I think I 
shall follow your suggestion. ” 

Dr. Hinds shut the door as Bob Younger ran down 
the steps, and went immediately to finish his inter- 
view with the other caller ; but Bob, as if he had 
forgotten a very important matter, suddenly stopped 
when he reached the pavement, turned and ran 
lightly up the steps, opened the door in the most 
matter-of-fact though noiseless way, and entered 
the house. 

He stepped swiftly along the hall,' and up the 
stairs without seeing any one. It was but a mo- 
ment until he was in the room in which the doctor 
had obtained the money, and was searching every 
nook and corner for the treasure. 

An oblong tin box stood on the upper shelf of a 
cupboard ; Bob took it down. 

It was locked. 

A wrench of his strong fingers raised the lid. 

A pile of gold occupied one compartment, and the 
rest of the space was taken up by bills of various 
denominations. 

This was the treasure. 

It took considerable nerve to take this peculiar 
looking box and walk unconcernedly down the 
stairs out into the open air, but the robber possessed 
it, though his heart may have beaten a trifle faster 
while he was about the task. 

At the end of fifteen minutes he was at the • depot 
waiting for the next train to carry him to his final 
destination. 

Minute after minute passed, and Jim, who was 
also to leave on this train, did not put in an appear- 
ance. 

Bob began to grow rather uneasy, imagining that 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


163 


his brother had fallen into the strong grasp of the 
law, and meditating the best way of disposing of the 
contents of his box. 

The train drew up at last, and Bob entered it. 

He had concluded that the situation did not jus- 
tify waiting any longer for his brother, and hoped 
now that the train would pull out. 

Just as the wheels began to revolve an athletic 
figure pushed itself through the crowd, and clam- 
bered up the steps. 

It was Jim Younger. 

In the meantime Dr. Hinds had rejoined the 
claimant of the hundred thousand dollars, and was 
engaged with that worthy in looking over the pa- 
pers that established Theo Howard’s identity, and 
the note of his indebtedness to Julian Stark. 

“Yes, that all looks fair enough, Mr. Stark,” said 
the doctor, a little uneasy, “but of course you could 
not object or think it hard of me should I insist on 
making a more extended investigation?” 

“What more convincing proofs are required than 
these papers?” asked the other, darkly. 

“The papers, as I said, seem to be all right, but I 
have determined to go to Minneapolis and see for 
myself.”. • 

“A plot between you two.” 

“No plot, 'only a safeguard. It might be the means 
of preventing the execution of a premeditated 
crime.” 

Jim laughed. 

“Have it your own way, my friend; I can wait. 
When will you want to start?” 

“In the morning.” 

“Good! I’ll meet you at the depot,” and with a 
mysterious smile the visitor had departed. 

Ten minutes went by, and the doctor, who was 
looking over the documents, was startled by a thun- 
dering ring at the door. 

He arose hastily to answer the summons, when 
the door of his office was rudely thrown open, and 
a tramp, one of the most forlorn-looking tramps he 
had ever laid eyes on, stalked in. 


164 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“What means this?” cried the doctor, in astonish- 
ment. 

“Are you Dr. Hinds?” 

“I am. Who are you?” 

“Have you had a couple of visitors laying claim to 
some money?” 

“How can that concern you?” said the other, 
stiffly. 

The tramp made a leap at him. 

“Answer me at once, or IT1 throttle you!” 

“I had,” he said, hacking away prudently. 

“Then if you gave them any money you have been 
duped. They are nothing more nor less than thieves 
and robbers.” 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

DRAWING THE NET TIGHTER. 

Dr. Hinds gave utterance to a gasp of alarm. 

“What proof have you of that?” 

“The simple proof that I know it. Tell me quickly 
what they did. See, I have the proper authority for 
proceeding thus,” and turning up the lapel of his 
coat he exhibited his badge. 

“Two men, one of whom I know, called on me a 
few minutes ago, claiming that the fortune belong- 
ing to Theo Howard, by virtue of bequest from 
Samuel Howard, was almost wholly due Julian 
Stark, who was the one I did not know.” 

“They presented the proofs?” 

“They did.” 

“And you gave them the money?” 

“I did not.” 

Belton breathed more freely. 

“When are they to come back?” 

“To-morrow. That is, one of them.” 

“How about the other?” 

“He left on a plea of pressing business.” 

Belton meditated with lowering brow for a few 
moments. 

“You are telling me all?” 

“Not quite. The testator directed that Mr. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


165 


Younger and myself were to keep a thousand dollars 
each in case we should find the heir. I gave that 
gentleman his share just before he left.” 

“You have the rest yet?” 

“Yes.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“It is an easy matter to find out,” said the doctor. 
“Remain here,” not fully satisfied that the tramp 
was what he claimed to be. 

When he reappeared his face was blanched with 
some uncontrollable emotion. 

“Well?” said Belton, quietly. 

“It is gone!” 

“I was afraid so. While you were talking with 
one, the other, having evidently located the treasure 
in some way, ran up, seized and made way with it. 
Now we must take immediate steps to have the 
scoundrels arrested. Let us go at once to the depot, 
as they will make an effort to get out of town at the 
earliest opportunity.” 

The couple were at the station in a very few min- 
utes, but as Belton had feared, they were too late. 

The train had left but ten minutes previous. 

The detective made particular inquiries of the offi- 
cials in regard to the robbers, and obtained the in- 
formation that a man in the garb of a clergyman 
had entered the train, and that he carried a tin box 
in his hand. 

“The same!” said the doctor, with a gasp. 

“Now there is only one way left for us to pursue 
if we are to capture those fellows ; we must use the 
telegraph. If they have no idea of our being so hot 
on their trail it will be easy to overhaul them ; but I 
am afraid they will take every precaution to escape 
arrest. And the fact that it is dark will be very 
much in their favor.” 

A dispatch was immediately sent forward to the 
second point at which the train was accustomed to 
stop, as it had already passed its first stopping place. 

The reply was received in due time that the train 
had been thoroughly searched, but no persons an- 
swering such descriptions were found on it, 


166 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Belton uttered an exclamation of disgust as he 
turned away. 

“How long will it be until the next train leaves V' 

“Four hours/’ 

At the specified time the tramp, arrayed in more 
becoming habiliments, entered the train, and was 
borne swiftly away on the trail. 

But how did Belton escape the awful fate that had 
been intended for him? 

It was indeed a Providential deliverance from in- 
stant death. 

The blow which dislodged the detective from his 
perch had come sideways, and thrown him so that 
he fell clear of the bridge. 

Whirling through the air as if shot from a cata- 
pult, he by the merest chance alighted in the chan- 
nel of the stream, and by the time he arose to the 
surface the cooling water had restored him to con- 
sciousness. 

Striking out boldly, he reached the shore, clam- 
bered up the bank, and at once started for the sta- 
tion. 

Finding that a freight train was just leaving, he 
boarded it, and rode to the 'next stopping place, 
where he succeeded in catching a fast train which 
reached Chicago about an hour and a half after the 
arrival of the train the Younger boys had taken. 

He made his way directly to Hr. Hinds’ residence, 
with the result as has been stated. 

He was now engaged in a chase which promised 
to give him much trouble ; but he was possessed of 
that untiring perseverance which had made him so 
uniformly successful heretofore, and he felt that 
perseverance would land him victor in this instance. 

If he could only have had the assistance of Jones, 
he would have been sanguine of a speedy termina- 
tion of the matter ; and he hoped that his assistant 
had gone back to Minneapolis where he could now 
be of great service. 

To his joy, on his arrival in that city, he found 
Jones in waiting for him. 

The meeting was a welcome one to both, and it 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


167 


took but a few moments to acquaint each other of 
what had happened. 

“And you are sure. they haven’t arrived?” 

“Sure.” 

“They must have gotten off close to Chicago, 
then.” 

“Yes, if they left the cars at all.” 

“They certainly left the cars before they arrived 
here; maybe a few miles back.” 

“A sad thing took place after we left Minneapo- 
lis,” said Jones, scarcely knowing how to break the 
news of Myra’s disappearance. 

“What is that?” 

“Miss Ferry has been abducted.” 

“Nonsense!” 

“It is only too true.” 

“Then they must have known more about our 
visit to the cemetery than we imagined.” 

“Yes; it was evidently done by the same gang, 
for I haven’t the least doubt that the servant girl 
who enticed her away was none other than our old 
acquaintance, the slippery Irene.” 

He then related the story of the abduction so far 
as he was acqauinted with it, and while they slowly 
left the depot they made many a futile attempt at 
theorizing upon the whereabouts of the bold and 
successful robbers, as well as the situation of the 
unfortunate Theo, if, indeed, he were alive. 

“It’s like hunting for a needle in a haystack,” said 
the disconsolate Jones, “or for a flea, more likely; 
for a needle will keep still, and a flea won’t.” 

Belton smiled. 

“We’ll succeed yet, my boy. If you’ve as much 
determination about you as I have, youTl never 
say die. And we’re -just as likely to run across them 
now as when we were seated beside them.” 

“Do you think they will be likely to come back to 
this place?” 

“I think so. The gang, you know, is in this local- 
ity, and the division of the spoils will probably occur 
close to if not in the city. At least there is one way 
left us even if it should prove slow.” 

“Shadow the Queen?” 


168 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“ Exactly; though I ought to leave that to you, 
seeing that my experience with her majesty has 
been singularly unfortunate.” 

“Singularly lucky, too, considering the serious 
situations you got yourself out of.” 

“Hist! Do you see that old apple woman?” 

“Yes, and there’s something familiar about her, 
too.” 

“I don’t doubt it, taking into consideration the 
fact that she is the very lady we have been discuss- 
ing.” 

“Is it to be a shadow?” 

“Nothing else. It will never do to lose sight of 
her now.” 

“But she’ll get on to us.” 

“We must keep out of her sight, then; here’s a 
cab ; we’ll just hire the driver to follow her at a 
safe distance, while we can take such observations 
from the vehicle as may be necessary.” 

The cabman was hailed, and the couple took 
their seats, after giving the Jehu the requisite direc- 
tions. 

The old lady entered a store and the driver pulled 
up his horses at the opposite curbstone. 

Leaning down he addressed Belton. 

“How far shall I follow the young lady?” 

“What young lady?” asked the detective in sur- 
prise. 

“The young lady I’ve been follerin’ the last half 
hour. Hain’t I got eyes as well as anybody?” 

“May be you can tell me her name,” said Belton, 
with a mysterious smile. 

“I can’t do that, but I know something about her, 
all the same.” 

“Tell us.” 

Cabby winked very wisely. 

“Give me the lay you’re on, stranger, and mebbe 
I will.” 

“We have reason to think that she is of the shady 
order.” 

“I guess you are a leetle more than right. The 
jade is one of a party that was the cause of one of 
my horses dyin’ by fast drivin’, and as fifty dollars 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


169 


is no price fur sich a vallyble animal, I must git my 
pay in some way, even if it is by peachin’ on a 
feller critter. ” 

“A young lady was abducted night before last, 
and we’re after the criminals who accomplished the 
deed.” 

The driver slapped his thigh triumphantly. 

“Exactly! I’m the feller that can p’int you in 
the right direction. I know all about it.” 

“How’s that?” 

“Well, I’m not go in’ to be so fast in tellin’ you, 
unless you grant me certain favors.” 

“Money?” 

“Hot exactly money, though I’d be glad enough 
to have that. The fact is, I was concerned in it a 
little myself . ” 

“And you want exemption from arrest on account 
of complicity? Well, you shall have it, and we’ll 
find some way of making up the loss caused by the 
death of your animal.” 

“Good! Two evenings ago, a chap comes to me, 
and says he ‘Can I engage you and your cab to- 
night?’ Says I ‘What fur?’ And he says ‘Oh fur a 
little drive. We’ll give you fifty dollars fur your 
services-^you to ask mo questions and to do as you’re 
told.’ Well, I thought that a ruther easy way of 
makin’ fifty dollars, and I at once fell in with his 
offer.” 

The remainder of the story has already been told 
the reader. 

“How far do you suppose they drove in the time 
they were away?” 

“They may have went as far as four miles.” 

“Are you acquainted with the lay of the land in 
that direction?” 

“Ho.” 

“I’ll give you five dollars to drive me out along 
the road they took.” 

“I’m your man.” 

“How, Bill, you keep your eye on the old woman, 
and make a report of what she does and where she 
goes.” 

The driver departed with his passenger, and 


170 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


obeying a suggestion from Belton, allowed his 
team to take their own way. 

For an hour he drove slowly along, reaching a 
wilder section of country, until suddenly the lead 
horse stopped. 

The driver sprang out, and to his satisfaction saw 
the tracks of a vehicle, presumably his own, that 
had turned at this point. 

“How has my suggestion worked?” asked Belton, 
sticking his head out of the window. 

“Like a charm. I am purty certain this is the place 
where they stopped, and went back after accom- 
plishin’ their business.” 

“Very well,” said the detective, as he alighted; 
“just drive down the road half a mile and back. In 
that time I shall have reconnoitered a little.” 

A careful examination discovered the existence of 
footprints leading from the side of the road into the 
neighboring field. 

Belton followed these, being very careful to keep 
under cover and thus guard against surprise. 

A short walk brought him within view of a de- 
serted stone building which he had never seen be- 
fore. 

Slipping into a thicket near by, he took an easy 
position and waited. 

In a little while he had the satisfaction of seeing a 
figure come to the door, but as it was a person with 
whom he was not familiar, it gave him no direct 
conclusion as to his surmises. 

After waiting a few minutes he decided to go back 
to the roadside. 

Here he found the driver, to whom he paid the 
money he had promised, and then dismissed him. 
By tne time he had reached his hiding place again, 
the sun was half way down the horizon. This was 
a fact with which he was greatly pleased, as it 
would soon be dark enough to continue his explora- 
tions, though he felt quite sure that he was finally 
on the right track. 

He had sat there perhaps an hour when he saw 
approaching the house in the same direction he had 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 171 

come the figure of Irene still in the guise of the old 
apple woman. 

‘‘At last !” he murmured. “The curtain is about to 
rise for the final scene in this strange drama !” 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

“the police are coming/’ 

The sharp eye of Belton discovered another figure, 
and a familiar one as well, evidently dogging the 
footsteps of Irene, and keeping well out of sight. 

“Ah! the young lady has to all intents and ap- 
pearances been outwitted this time unless she is 
playing a game of her own, which I hardly imagine 
is the case.” 

Belton kept perfectly still until Irene reached the 
house, and he then cautiously gave Jones a signal 
which was immediately answered. 

A minute later the two detectives were together. 

“You’ve tracked her to the lair,” said Belton. 

“Yes, and such a tramp as she did lead me.” 

“She didn’t walk all the way from town?” 

“Oh, no; but I did, and that’s what makes me 
feel like growling.” 

“I’m sorry you are tired out, but we’ve got her 
and most likely our other prey located, though that 
has yet to be determined. Doubtless Myra and Theo 
also are located somewhere in the building.” 

“Well, what’s the programme?” 

“The whole gang ought to be captured.” 

“With two men?” 

“Not exactly. One of us must go back and secure 
sufficient force to do this. The other will stay and 
gain what information is possible, so that we can 
act at once on the arrival of the posse. You may, 
therefore, return to town, report at headquarters, 
and secure at least twelve men, for we have a most 
desperate set of fellows to deal with; but recollect 
what a feather it will be in our hats to capture the 
most noted collection of robbers that America has 
ever produced.” 

Jones at once departed on his errand, while Belton 


172 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


kept his post of observation until dusk without dis- 
covering so much as a sign of a human being. 

When he concluded it to be safe to do so, he moved 
in a circle about the building, and when he arrived 
at the rear he observed a low entrance, which, on 
account of an occasional snort or stamp he heard in 
that direction, he supposed must lead to that part of 
the structure used as a stable. 

Once he heard the voice of some person who was 
engaged in feeding the animals, and he concluded 
to remain at his post until the man retired. 

In a few minutes he distinguished a dark form 
come out of the entry and close the door. 

Leaving this point the fellow approached another 
door in the center of the building, and disappeared 
within. 

Belton now walked boldly from his ambush, and 
tried the same door ; it was locked. 

Passing to a window, he raised the sash, and 
noiselessly crept in. 

Listening a moment for a sign of the presence of 
some one, he began to explore the room, but found 
it devoid of everything except an abundance of dirt. 

He left the apartment by means of an open door, 
and went on his way. 

After a time he heard the sound of voices, and 
perceived at once that he was on the point of mak- 
ing one of the grandest discoveries of his life, even 
should he not be successful in bagging his game. 

The room in which he was now located was close 
to the main hall, and in this hall men to the number 
of five were seated in company with Irene. 

“PH enjoy myself just now in listening,” thought 
Belton, as he crept closer to the door. 

“Well, boys, this is getting devilish tiresome,” re- 
marked a voice. “If we don’t hear from them to- 
night, my vote is to go forward on this other busi- 
ness at once.” 

“So say I, Cole,” said another, “and let Bob and 
Jim join us when they get through. The next thing 
we know somebody will drop on to our hiding place 
and attack us with a whole army.” 


BOB YOUNGEB’S FATE. 


173 


“You haven’t any idea how near right you are,” 
thought the detective, with a grim smile. 

“It will just about take an army to wipe us out,” 
said he who bore the appellation of Cole. 

“So,” thought Belton, “the two brothers haven’t 
returned, but are momentarily expected. One satis- 
factory piece of information, at all events.” 

“What shall be done with the prisoners?” some 
one inquired. 

“Shoot ’em!” said another, savagely. 

“Hold on, Jesse. If you’re going to do any shoot- 
ing, just leave the young lady to me, for I can use 
her to better advantage than to make a target out of 
her.” 

“How' is that,” Jesse asked, with a careless laugh. 

“Hold her for a heavy ransom. , I’ll wager the old 
gentleman would come down handsomely with the 
boodle.” 

“That might do, provided we can take her along 
easily enough, but we are not to be burdened with 
any extra men, let me tell you.” 

One of the men who had been stationed outside 
as guard now came in with the statement that two 
men were approaching, presumably Bob and Jim. 

The party looked to their arms to be ready for any 
possible emergency, but as they all supposed, the in- 
truders turned out to be the persons mentioned, and 
were received with shouts of welcome. 

“We got there!” cried Bob, dropping into a chair, 
“but it was a tough job all the way through.” 

“Is this the swag?” asked Jesse, tapping the tin 
box with his revolver. 

“You bet! and lots of it, too. Think of twelve 
thousand apiece, and the fun it will bring. Doesn’t 
it make your mouth water?” 

“Let’s see the color of it; let’s divide it,” sug- 
gested Jesse. “It’s a long time since I’ve seen so 
much boodle.” 

“Give us our supper first,” exclaimed Bob. “By 
the way,” he added, with a grin intended for the 
delectation of Irene, who formed one of the party, 
“I thought you had disposed of Belton.” 

“So I did,” 


174 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“Well, he’s come to life again.” 

“Nonsense!” 

“Nothing of the kind. Oh, he’s a slick one! He 
got on to our plans in some way, and accompanied 
by a pal of his, he rode in the same train with us 
while we were on our way to Chicago. Only by ac- 
cident did we penetrate their disguises, and then, as 
if he had divined this, Belton got off the cars at a 
certain place, changed his disguise, got on again, 
and I never would have known it except by another 
accident. He was now dressed as a tramp, and rode 
with us for miles until the train was derailed. Jim 
and I hired an engine to take us to the next station 
so as to catch a train, as well as to get out of the 
way of those fellows when, behold you, Belton was 
finally discovered on the same engine. Jim dropped 
a lump of coal on him, and he toppled off like a 
piece of lead ; but I wouldn’t bet any money that he 
is dead even now.” 

“You’d lose it if you did,” muttered the listener, 
with a smile of the utmost satisfaction. 

As Bob spoke he raised the lid of the box, and in 
the uncertain light each eye caught sight of bills 
and a shining mass of gold. 

“Now we’ll put it away until after our meal; 
then we’ll divide it, and discuss our next affair.” 

Bob closed the box, and suddenly opening the door 
of the room in which Belton had been listening, 
placed the treasure inside. 

It was well that the room was dark, or the detec- 
tive would inevitably have been discovered. 

As it was, he crouched in one corner until Bob 
had passed out. 

In a moment he made up his mind that the money 
must be saved. 

Stealing forward he cautiously raised the lid, and 
abstracted all the bills, which comprised by far the 
larger part of the money. 

These he stowed away in various parts of his 
clothing; but how was he to dispose of the gold? 

He carefully removed the pieces from the box, 
and gathering up handfuls of dirt and the plastering 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


175 


which had fallen from the walls and ceiling, he de- 
liberately filled it to the top. 

Taking a pencil and scrap of paper from his pocket 
he hurriedly scribbled a few words in the darkness, 
and placing this note on the rubbish, he fastened 
down the lid. 

In his search for the rubbish he ran across an old 
satchel, which he found in fair condition, and in this 
he placed the gold and some of the bills. 

With the greatest of caution he now retraced his 
steps, and soon found himself outside. 

An old barrel, almost ready to fall to pieces, stood 
by the side of the house; in this he placed the 
satchel, and continued on his way, circling about 
the house so as to intercept the police before they 
should come too near the building ; but in this im- 
portant move he was too late. 

He had not proceeded ten paces when he heard a 
shot delivered by the guard, who had evidently dis- 
covered the approach of some intruder. 

The next moment the echoes were startled by the 
ringing cry : 

“To arms, comrades! The police are coming !” 


CHAPTER XXX. 

BOB YOUNGER’S ESCAPE. 

It took but a few minutes for Belton to reach his 
men. 

“Hold !” he cried. “Why were you not more care- 
ful in approaching?” 

“We thought we were careful,” growled Jones, 
“but these fellows seem to see through the deep- 
est night. I was certain we made no noise, but they 
either saw or heard us.” 

“The next thing, since they have taken alarm, is 
to prevent their escape. If we can but surround the 
building, we may hold them until morning, when 
we will have a better chance to capture them.” 

Hastily selecting four men, Belton led them 
around the building in order to guard the entrance 
to the stable, while the remaining men he left in 


176 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


front of the house to prevent a retreat in that direc- 
tion. . . .. 

All had been perfectly quiet within the house 
after the first alarm, a fact which meant either that 
the outlaws were waiting an attack, or else had es- 
caped, although the latter supposition was scarcely 
probable. 

But just as Belton and his men turned the corner 
of the building,- he caught sight of the indistinct 
forms of men arranged about the stable entrance, 
evidently in the act of mounting. 

“Halt and surrender l” cried the detective, draw- 
ing his revolver and rushing forward. 

A shot which just grazed his cheek was the only 
answer he received. 

The next moment the desperadoes were on their 
horses, and fleeing like the wind. 

Belton’s revolver spoke just once before the party 
was out of sight, but that one shot was effective. 

A horse staggered, regained his feet, and then 
fell, carrying his rider with him. 

Hardly had he touched the ground when Belton 
was on the spot, his hand on the horseman’s neck. 

He started back in amazement, for he had cap- 
tured not a man, but a woman. 

“The Queen!” he cried. 

It was indeed Irene. 

She had attempted to escape with the outlaws, 
and would doubtless have succeeded had not Bel- 
ton’s chance shot disabled her steed. 

Partly stunned by the fall, she w~as unable to de- 
fend herself, and fell into the hands of her enemies, 
an easy prisoner. 

In the meantime, hearing the shots and the noise 
of the horses, the remainder of the detectives joined 
the party, 

“Here, Jones,” said Belton, “take charge of this 
lady while some of us look after the fugitives.” 

Bill, with much gallantry, escorted the unwilling 
Irene into the house, where he proceeded, in spite 
of her indignant remonstrances, to tie her hands. 

“What do you mean by this outrage?” she de- 
manded, tearfully. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


177 


“I don’t mean to be outrageous at all, my dear; 
but you’ve made such a reputation for being care- 
less with knives and like weapons, that I don’t in- 
tend giving you a chance to increase your fame in 
that direction.” 

‘’Chivalrous gentleman!” 

“Just so; but then we are going to be safe and 
snug.” 

Here Bill turned up the lamp, and then seated 
himself, patiently waiting for Belton’s appearance. 

“How much is it worth to allow me to escape ac- 
cidentally?” asked Irene, breaking the silence, and 
speaking in coaxing tones. 

Her jailer seemed to meditate. 

“Well, how much wind can you raise?” 

“I’ll give you a thousand dollars.” 

“Got any of it about you?” 

“Of course not. Do you think I’d be foolish 
enough to tell you if I had? But I can get it.” 

“When you get it,” said Bill, indifferently, “then 
I’ll talk with you.” 

At this mumsnt Belton entered the room with 
hasty step. 

“They’ve gone. Unfortunately, we are without 
horses, and under such circumstances pursuit would 
be useless. I must try another plan. 

“Well, your majesty, we meet again,” with a 
bow to Irene, who was staring at him in astonish- 
ment. 

“You are yet alive?” she gasped. 

“ Very much so. Never felt more like living in 
my life than at this moment.” 

“How have you escaped all those deaths intended 
for you?” 

“Oh, they were intended, were they? Yes, I have 
come through all right without a scratch to show 
that I’ve had a single enemy who wished to compass 
my destruction. No, I’ll amend that statement 
somewhat. I did get a blow from something that 
fell off the tender of an engine. It must have been 
a lump of coal. I imagined it was a mere accident 
at first, but have since been told that it was intended 
to put an end to my existence. I am very sorry to 


178 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


be so determined to live, but if you people persist, 
you will perhaps gain your point at last.” 

‘‘I could put an end to you with the greatest of 
pleasure,” said the girl, fiercely. 

“In view of my experience with you, that declara- 
tion is somewhat superfluous. I am quite willing to 
take your word for it.” 

“You’ve been outgeneraled in the contest, any- 
how.” 

“In what way, pray?” 

“In every way. Didn’t Julian Stark escape from 
you?” 

“Bob Younger, you mean? Yes, I’ll acknowledge 
that; but I mean to have him yet.” 

“Success to you! I hope, also, that you will get 
the money that belongs to Theo Howard, while you 
are at it.” 

“Perhaps I shall, though I don’t expect to,” in sig- 
nificant tones. 

“I know you will not,” triumphantly. “Julian has 
it only too safe.” 

“Jones,” said Belton, quietly, “go out to the 
northeast corner of the house, and in a barrel stand- 
ing close to that spot you will find a satchel. Bring 
it here.” 

Bill was gone two minutes ; when he came back 
he had the satchel. 

“In this you might find most of the money that 
was in Bob Younger’s possession for a day, were 
you allowed to handle it. See, here are the bills, 
here is the gold that shone so brightly in the pres- 
ence of you all a few minutes ago. Who has been 
outwitted in this instance?” 

Irene looked stupefied. 

“A mere trick !” 

“A trick, but a very thorough one. You will re- 
member that the tin box was placed in a side room 
out of your sight. Well, I was in that room, and it 
did not take me long to remove the contents. If 
your friend Julian has carried the box away, he’ll 
find it full of plaster and dirt.” 

“We’re ahead of you in the Miss Ferry affair, any- 
how,” said the undaunted girl. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


179 


^ “Just for the present, if that was your handiwork. 
I’m glad I have a confession from you in the pres- 
ence of witnesses; it will make the fixing of the 
crime a much simpler matter. It will be only a 
a question of time to obtain knowledge full and com- 
plete of her whereabouts.’ ’ 

“In what condition do you expect to find her?” 

“Well and hearty.” 

Irene smiled. 

“A most sanguine man, truly. You’ll see when 
you set eyes on her.” 

Although Belton kept perfectly calm outwardly, 
her last statement struck him with deadly fear. 

“If she has suffered in any way, it will be only the 
worse for you. Now, my good woman, you can aid 
me as well as yourself by answering a few plain 
questions truthfully.” 

Irene did not reply. 

“What is the destination of the band to-night?” 

“I must violate no confidences,” was the mocking 
answer. “Perhaps if you read the papers of Septem- 
ber 9, you can obtain the necessary information.” 

“Must I wait until day after to-morrow?” 

“Unless you decide to follow them, and that would 
decidedly he a stern chase.” 

“Will nothing induce you to give us the informa- 
tion?” 

“Nothing except the return of that hundred thou- 
sand dollars.” 

“So be it; but remember you are only making 
your own fate all the harder. Now, I have another 
equally important question; where is Theo How- 
ard?” 

“Where is his body, you mean?” 

“If you like.” 

“In his grave, of course.” 

“Nonsense! you and I know better than that.” 

“Maybe you do; I don’t profess to know anything 
about it.” 

“You know, at all events, that he is alive; where 
is he now?” 

“I cannot tell you.” 

“Very well. Now, gentlemen, while Jones and 


180 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


Marks guard this woman, the rest of us will resolve 
ourselves into a committee of search, and if I do not 
much mistake my guess we will find certain parties 
we want in this very building. ” 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

‘‘HOLD, OR I SHOOT !” 

As Myra uttered his name in such thrilling tones, 
Theo started back in amazement. 

The next moment he was on his knees by her side 
kissing her face, her hair, her eyes. 

“Oh, that I were rid of these shackles!’ 7 he cried, 
in desperation, dashing his hands against the floor. 
“Here is my love, helpless, perhaps dying, and I 
scarcely able to move hand or foot in her behalf. 
Myra, tell me that you are still alive.” 

The girl came to life with a faint sigh, but on 
opening her eyes in the darkness saw nothing. 

Slowly memory came to her aid, and she at last 
realized what had happened. 

Her hands wandered out in the black gloom which 
surrounded her, and touched the silent form at her 
side. 

Tenderly the soft arms crept about his neck, and 
the welcome whisper came from her parted lips : 

“I knew it was you!” 

“I am sorry that I cannot give you a warmer re- 
ception,” said the dear voice to her; “you see that I 
am not my own master.” 

Myra clung to her lover with hysterical but not 
grief-stricken sobs, and Theo allowed her to calm 
herself without interrupting the flow of her refresh- 
ing tears. 

“I knew you were not dead,” she said after a 
while. 

“Who thought I was, darling?” 

“Don’t you know anything about it? Everybody 
was satisfied that you were in your grave more than 
a week ago.” 

Theo seemed at a loss to express his amazement. 

“This seems very strange to me, Myra.” 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 


181 


“Yes, my poor boy,” as her hands caressed his 
face, “it is strange, but you shall hear of stranger 
things than that. Who has been your best friend, 
Theo?” 

“You, of course.” 

The soft hands gently chided him. 

“And so you nut me in the list of your friends 
only?” 

“If my arms were but free I’d show you,” with a 
happy, oh, so happy, laugh. 

“Well, guess again.” 

“I should say Julian Stark.” 

“Of course you would; but what would you think 
were I to tell you that he has been your worst 
enemy?” 

Theo was surprised beyond measure. 

“Of course I would believe you.” 

“Believe me, then, Theo. Julian Stark, which is 
only a name adopted for the occasion, has been the 
cause of all this trouble and misery to which we 
have both been subjected.” 

Theo was silent. 

“This is an awful blow,” he murmured after a lit- 
tle. “It is almost enough to shake my faith in hu- 
manity.”' 

Myra crept closer to him. 

“Let me save you from such a condition as that. 
There are many true people, in spite of Julian 
Stark.” 

“And you are one of them!” 

He did not realize how true those words were 
then, but he discovered it all in good time. 

“How tell me,” he said, “how it is I find you here? 
Have you been a prisoner, too?” 

“Alas, yes! But, Theo, I have just escaped, and 
I am mortally afraid of falling into their clutches 
again. Let us get away from this dreadful place 
while we can.” 

“I agree with you ; but we shall have difficulty, 
for there are no less than seven or eight men about 
the building.” 

Taking Theo’s arm in hers, Myra felt her way 
along until she came to the door. She then went for- 


182 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


ward cautiously the length of the basement floor 
until she came to the wall. 

To her joy Myra here found a door, and on un- 
doing the fastenings she found herself in a part of 
the building which the outlaws were using for a 
stable. 

4 ‘Could you ride one of these horses?” she whis- 
pered. 

“I am afraid not. Besides, we would only be losing 
time by experimenting. We are momentarily in dan- 
ger of discovery.” 

They had just reached the stable door when a shot 
was fired. 

“Quick!” cried Theo, “they must have discovered 
us!” and they hurried away from the place, going 
they knew not whither. 

A few minutes later a succession of shots and the 
shouts of men were heard, and almost before they 
were aware of what had taken place a party of 
horsemen had ridden upon them. 

The foremost rider, Bill Chadwell, observed them 
as they were trying to get out of the way, and with 
a shout he leaned over and struck the helpless Theo 
a blow that stretched him on the ground ; then 
leaping from his steed he seized Myra, and threw 
her across Jesse’s horse in front of that worthy. 
The double deed had been committed so quickly 
that there was scarce a pause in the progress of the 
party, and in a few seconds the sounds of the re- 
treating hoofs had ceased. 

Myra gave vent to a piercing scream at the treat- 
ment accorded her lover and the recapture of her- 
self, but a surly threat uttered by Jesse served to 
quiet her for the time. 

While all this took place Belton and his men were 
ransacking the old house from top to bottom, and, 
of course, not meeting with the success they had an- 
ticipated. 

When the search had been completed and not a 
sign of Theo or Myra was found, Belton returned to 
Jones with a mystified look on his countenance, 
much to Irene’s satisfaction. 

“This is most mysterious,” he remarked in low 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


183 


tones. “I don’t know what to make of it; for I am 
morally certain that they were kept here as prison- 
ers, yet there are no direct proofs . that they were 
here at all. Now, if they were here, how did they 
get away? They certainly did not accompany the 
bandits; therefore they must have escaped.” 

“What’s to be done, then?” 

“I shall appoint five men to escort Miss Irene to 
police headquarters; the remainder I shall send 
home with the exception of yourself. You and I 
will follow the gang, simply to locate their direction 
and the possible object they may have in view.” 

Calling the men together, he detailed five of the 
most trustworthy to conduct Irene with the utmost 
caution to the place indicated, and then dismissed 
the others. 

In ten minutes the old house was silent. 

With the aid of a dark lantern the couple picked 
their way along, having nothing to guide their 
course but the footprints of the horses. 

Suddenly Belton’s sharp eyes descried an object 
lying to one side of the trail, and in an instant he 
was by its side. 

A man, whose face was bespattered with blood, 
his hands fastened in the clasp of a pair of hand- 
cuffs, lay almost face downward. 

As the light fell upon him, the detective started 
back. 

“Theo Howard, as I live!” 

“Sure?” asked Bill, doubtingly. 

“Sure. He is the very picture of the man who 
has been pointed out to me as Theo Howard. Let 
us see if he is still alive.” 

Water was brought and dashed in the young 
man’s face, and in a few minutes his consciousness 
returned. 

Meanwhile, Belton, with a few well directed blows, 
removed his shackles, and when he arose to his feet, 
he was at last a free man. 

“Myra!” he cried, wildly. “Where is Myra?” 

“Where was she?’ asked Belton, hurriedly. 

“She was with me until those outlaws rode by and 


184 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


struck me down. I very much fear that they have 
carried her off.” 

Belton’s heart sank within him. 

If she had once more fallen into their hands her 
case was well nigh desperate. 

“If your supposition is correct, we must lose no 
time in giving chase to the villains. Do you feel 
strong enough to go with us?” 

“1 believe I have lost some blood, but I’ll go to the 
end of the earth to defeat them in their diabolical 
purposes!’’ 

“Here, then, is a revolver. We three must do the 
best we can, and where we may not be able to use 
force we must resort to strategy, a game, unfortu- 
nately for us, at which they are quite adept them- 
selves.” 

In spite of the words with which Belton now 
strove to encourage his companions, all three men 
felt that the immensity and danger of the task were 
not lessened. 

They started bravely on the way, however, and 
though their progress was necessarily slow, they 
were sure that steadiness of purpose and movement 
would finally accomplish their object. 

Belton detailed the plots of the bandits as they 
journeyed on, and Theo, despite Myra’s revelations, 
was shocked beyond measure to find out the extent 
of Julian Stark’s treachery toward him. 

“Should this all turn out well,” he said, “I shall 
be most thankful for my experience of the past few 
weeks; it has certainly called me to my senses, 
and shown me the utter folly of the course I was 
pursuing.” 

“Yes,” remarked Belton, sententiously, “it will 
at all events show you that a man’s best friend is 
himself, if self is guided by correct principles. I 
am not able to see how you can fail of securing a 
happy and prosperous position in life with such a 
woman as Miss Ferry for your companion and coun- 
selor, in addition to your own common sense. She is 
a most remarkable girl,” this last statement being 
made with the utmost enthusiasm. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


185 


“I appreciate your words, and realize how fully 
they apply to Myra. I think I can say that I owe 
her wholly my present prospects.” 

“That is perfectly true. Your death had been fully 
accepted by every one as perfectly authentic, until 
she disputed it ; and then, to show the depth of her 
penetration and ability, she proceeded at once to 
prove the truth of her assertions.” 

In such converse the night passed until the glow 
in the east showed the advent of another day. 

They were successful in keeping on the trail from 
the fact that one of the horses had a broken shoe 
which had left its peculiar mark at each step. 

At this point they decided to take a half hour’s 
rest, after which they hastily pushed on, being able 
to travel rapidly now when aided by the light of 
day. 

In a couple of hours they came to a farmhouse, 
where they craved a crust of bread and a cup of 
coffee, offering pay for the same. 

A refreshing breakfast was prepared for them, 
but what they wanted most, information concerning 
the bandits, was wanting. 

Leaving this point, they proceeded on their quest, 
Jbut progress now was exceedingly slow, owing to 
the fact that the tell-tale hoof-prints had become al- 
most obliterated, although here and there an occa- 
sional one showed quite distinctly. 

At eight o’clock they came to a forest, and here 
the trail left the road. 

“Now we shall have plain sailing,” said Belton. 
“I have an idea that they are not far away, and as 
a consequence we must use the utmost caution, so 
as to guard against surprise.” 

Thirty minutes’ walking brought them to a clear- 
ing in the midst of this wilderness. 

In the center stood a house built of logs, but no 
sign of a person was observable about the place. 

A thin ring of smoke, which curled lazily upward 
from the chimney, however, showed that some one 
at least had been there lately. 

Fearful that the foe might be concealed within, 
they dared not approach the building; and so for 


186 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


half an hour they waited in hiding, until, chafing at 
the delay, Belton determined to make a circuit of 
the clearing. 

When he returned his face was pregnant with 
tidings. 

4 ‘We need have no fear of the outlaws, for they 
have gone. I ran across their trail on the opposite 
side, and as there were eight horses, we would natu- 
rally conclude that eight men rode them. The only 
thing that remains for us to determine is the ques- 
tion of Miss Ferry’s presence in this neighborhood. 
I am of tlie opinion that she is concealed about the 
building before us.” 

“Let us investigate at once,” said Theo, impa- 
tiently. 

“That is my idea. You and Bill may go to the 
back of the clearing and approach in that direction, 
while I shall walk up boldly to the front, and ask 
for something to eat. If the owner or occupant 
shows fight we must manage to overpower him 
without doing any injury. Ah, there he is now,” 
as he observed a man come out of the house and sit 
down on a log close to the door. 

Theo and Bill now departed on their mission, 
while Belton waited for a few minutes before taking 
the step which was to determine a very important 
matter. 

He then walked out leisurely from the cover of tbe 
trees and approached the house, whistling a jolly 
air. 

The presumable tenant looked up from his occu- 
pation of whittling a stick, only to begin again in a 
fresh spot after satisfying his curiosity, which did 
not certainly seem to be very highly developed. 

“Good-morning, stranger,” said Belton, carelessly 

“Mornin’.” 

“How are you fixed for provisions to-day?” 

“Purty well I guess.” 

“I’m hungry.” 

“Glad to hear it, fur I kin fill ye if ye’ve got the 
stuff to fork over.” 

“That’s all right, my friend, I don’t take any 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


187 


man’s bread without paying for it. Tell your old 
woman to hurry up, for I’m most starved.” 

“Where mought ye hev come from?” 

“Walked fifteen miles from the direction of Min- 
neapolis this morning.” 

“Well, you jist remain hyer, and I’ll tell my old 
gal to git you a bite,” and he arose to go toward the 
door of his habitation. 

At that moment Tie started back in genuine as- 
tonishment, for in front of him stood another man 
whom he had not seen until now. 

“You are our prisoner,” said Jones. “Will you 
surrender peaceably?” 

If the farmer was surprised, he was not the only 
one to experience the identical feeling, for at that 
instant in shrill tones came from the doorway the 
words : 

“Hold, or I shoot!” 

In the door stood a fierce-looking woman, with 
cocked revolver in hand, evidently bent on carry- 
ing out her threat. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

BOB OPENS THE TIN BOX. 

Onward, under the direction of Bill Chadwell, the 
bandits dashed, pausing not a moment in their mad 
career as. the hoof -beats rang out on the night air. 

Mile after mile in unswerving course they passed 
until they had been in the saddle full five hours. 

Disappearing now in the shade of a forest, they 
soon emerged into a clearing, where Bill dismounted, 
and approaching a building which occupied the cen- 
tral portion, he knocked upon the door in a peculiar 
manner with the butt of his revolver. 

The noise of bolts was heard, and soon the occu- 
pant of the structure stood revealed to the intrud- 
ers in his night attire. 

“Hello, Bill! Is that you?” he asBed, a little 
sleepily. “Quite a party of you, I declare,” observ- 
ng the others for the first time. 

“Yes, it’s me. Can you accommodate us to-night?” 


188 


BOB YOUNGEE’S FATE. 


“Oh, yes, sartinly, ef ye kin sleep on the floor. Ef 
thar ain’t ’miff floor, the rest kin go out and lay 
down on the hay in the stable.” 

“Here is a young lady that is accompanying us,” 
Bill said, as Jesse led Myra forward. “Will you 
give up your accustomed place by Miranda’s side to 
her?” 

“S’pose I’ll hev to ef you say so. I’d like to be 
perlite to the gal, though I don’t expect to find it 
very comfortable bunkin’ on the floor myself.” 

“Go inside,” said Jesse, “and remember, young 
woman, that any attempt to escape will be attended 
with fatal results.” 

Myra did as she was bidden, and soon stood in the 
presence of a woman whose countenance wa« the 
most forbidding of any female she had ever looked 
upon ; and it can be truthfully added that her host- 
ess did not look upon her with much favor either. 

When Bill’s wish was made known she became 
very indignant ; but as former experience with the 
famous robber had proved the futility of success- 
fully disputing his desires, she gave in as grace- 
fully as she could, and allowed Myra to creep in be- 
side her. 

Despite the girl’s serious situation, she slept 
soundly until morning. 

“Now, Bob,” said Jesse, after a hearty breakfast, 
“haul out your box, and let’s divvy up. We are all 
anxious to see the color of gold again.” 

The robbers gathered around while Bob undid the 
fastenings of the box. 

As the lid came up, every eye was fixed in expec- 
tation of seeing the long hoped for money, the cash 
that would keep them in idleness for many a day; 
then simultaneously a shout of execration came 
from their lips. 

What had become of the money? 

Bob dropped the lid in consternation, his face as 
pale as death. 

“Where is the traitor?” he hissed, drawing his 
weapon. “I’ll have his heart’s blood.” 

The bandits looked at each other doubtingly. 

Who was the thief? 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


189 


“Wait!” cried Jim. “I thought I saw a note, at 
least a piece of paper lying on top of the rubbish. 
Let us see what it contains.” 

This he immediately secured, and unfolding it, he 
read the words : 

“John Belton presents his compliments with the 
contents of this box, and hones the band will be as 
uniformly successful in the future as they have 
been in this instance.” 

Then from each pair of lips came a choice selec- 
tion of oaths, such as terrified Myra, who had just 
arisen ; even Miranda paused, though it must be con- 
fessed, half in admiration, at the torrent of profan- 
ity that overflowed the cabin. 

“That explains it,” said Bill, in a sudden lull. 
“Oli, that man’s the devil!” 

“We’ll never regain our self respect until we wipe 
him put,” remarked Jesse e:rimly. 

“I’d like, for my own information, to know how 
many times he has to be wiped out before he finally 
turns up his toes,” put in Cole Younger. 

“So much the greater reason why we should at- 
tend to the matter now in hand,” said Bob, who had 
in a manner regained his composure. “Belton may 
bide his time, for he is behind us; Yorthfield is in 
our front.” 

“True,” was Bill’s observation. “We must make 
a clean sweep of the bank to-day in order to com- 
pensate us for the loss of last night.” 

After a lengthy consultation it was decided that 
the owner of the cabin, Jake Sims, should take 
charge of Myra and detain her as a prisoner. 

Should they be successful in their descent upon 
the bank, they would return and take her away with 
them, unless they should be too closely pursued, and 
in case they did not come back in a reasonable 
length of time, he was to take her away in the night 
and leave her where she could find her way home. 

Being thus misled as to the position of his house, 
she could not well lodge any complaint against him, 
and he would thus escape the charge of complicity 
or be free even from suspicion. 

“If that man Belton comes along,” said Jesse, in 


190 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


parting, “just draw a bead on him, Jake, and we’ll 
be your eternal debtors. We’ve tried to remove 
him, but he won’t be removed by us, at least.” 

“I’ll do my best, sir, if he’ll only give me a chance 
to pick a quarrel with him.” 

“I’ll suggest a way,” with a sly look at the others ; 
“just let him get a sight of your good wife, and 
he’ll be for throwing love glances at her immedi- 
ately. You can play the jealous husband, and pick 
him off while he isn’t looking.” 

“You will please mind your business,” said Mi- 
randa, sharply. “And you, Jake, ef you’ve no more 
sperit than to listen quietly to sich foolishness, you 
wouldn’t hev the sand to shoot a flea!” 

With a loud laugh the men set spurs to their 
horses, and galloped away on the errand which 
proved to be one of death to a noble, unoffending 
man, and of final dissolution to their own organiza- 
tion. 

The sun shone as brightly, the birds sang as 
sweetly, the woods rang as gayly, as if there was no 
intimation in nature of the terrible tragedy that was 
in a few short hours to blot the fair name of Minne- 
sota ; that was to add one more murder to the awful 
list already charged to these men. 

Had they known what was before them would 
they have paused? 

Who knows? 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

A BRUTAL MURDER. 

The 7th of September, 1876. The sun rose in calm 
splendor 6ver the quiet village of Northfield. 

The inhabitants awoke and went about their 
usual employments, the men to their daily business, 
the women to their housework, and the children to 
their day’s enjoyment, all unconscious of the dark 
and terrible tragedy that overhung the place, and 
was to cause among them such confusion and hor- 
rible anguish as had never been their portion. 

The morning passed as mornings will, and when 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


191 


the hour of noon was at hand, three horsemen rode 
up to an inn on the outskirts of the town, dis- 
mounted, and after giving their steeds in charge of 
the hostler, entered the house. 

They were, of course, talkative, and as the tooth- 
some dinner brightened their wits, they became 
louder and more demonstrative in their conversa- 
tion. 

Who were these people? 

Jesse James, Bob Younger, and Charlie Pitts, 
three men well calculated to carry out any plot that 
required boldness as well as strategy. 

By and by their talk drifted into politics, and their 
host, who had been serving the meal, became all at- 
tention. 

“This is going to be a bad year for the Radicals,” 
remarked Jesse, with a vicious lunge at a piece of 
meat, as if he would exterminate the said party 
with as much gusto as he was devouring the choice 
steak before him. 

“On what do you base your opinion ?” asked Bob, 
quietly. 

“On general principles, of course. That party 
has been in power so long that it is rotten with aro- 
gance and corruption ; it has treated the Southern 
States with the iron hand of despotism, and created 
a system of carpet-bagism that any people with true 
manhood would resist to the death.” 

“Good reasoning, until you look on the other side,” 
was Bob’s answer. “How much has it done for the 
country?” 

“Slain hundreds of thousands of innocent peo- 
ple!” 

“In a just cause.” 

“Oh, you talk too much,” Charlie interrupted. 
“Let money talk. Who cares what the party has or 
hasn’t done? They’re all corrupt, anyhow, and don’t 
care for anything but your votes.” 

“That’s just it; who’s going to get the majority?” 

“I’ve a hundred that says Tilden will usher the 
grand old Democratic party into power next elec- 
tion,” Jesse said, banteringly. 

“And I have another hundred that says with the 


192 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


eagle’s scream that he never will !” rejoined Bob, 
3xcitedly. 

“Let me hold the stakes; you know I’m a mem- 
ber of the Greenback party,” Charlie put in, with a 
laugh. “Under the circumstances I would be the 
most appropriate selection you could rmke, unless 
•our good host seems a more honest man than I.” 

The innkeeper replied, with much modesty, that 
in his opinion the two would make a very wise 
choice in selecting their companion as stakeholder. 

“By the way,” said Bob, turning to him, “I have 
a draft to send away, and wish to make a deposit for 
that purpose ; what bank would you recommend to 
me?” 

The host’s countenance brightened. 

“The First National Bank is the place where I keep 
my deposits, and I don’t hesitate to recommend it 
highly. Mr. Haywood is the squarest man I know of, 
and he’s the cashier of the institution.” 

“Square man, eh?” asked Jesse, inconsequen- 
tially. 

“To the very bone. Haywood’s my friend, but I’d 
say the same if he were my enemy.” 

“Lot’s of grit, I reckon?” 

“Plenty of it. Nobody that I know of ever had 
the opportunity of calling him a coward, and yet he 
is kindness itself.” 

“I’m glad to meet a man of such a character, and 
hope to cultivate his acquaintance. I have some no- 
tion of settling down in this place, and nothing 
would suit me better than to get in with such men.” 

“What may your business be, stranger?” asked 
the landlord, curiously. 

“I’m a broker ; these gentlemen are merely travel- 
ing with me, bent on pleasure as much as anything 
else.” 

Some new arrival now called the host away, and 
on his departure the trio looked at each other signi- 
ficantly. 

“So lie’s grit to the backbone,” murmured Jesse. 
“We may have some tough work before us, boys.” 

“A pistol placed under his nose will bring him to 
terms quickly enough,” said Charlie. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


193 


“That’s the programme, anyhow, and if we can 
keep the citizens from interfering with us, I haven’t 
the least doubt that we ’ll carry off the swag, -as 
we’ve done many a time before.”. 

“What fools people are, anyway,” said Bob, con- 
templatively. “Think of that affair in Kansas City 
where seven men stole the money box at the State 
fair, and carrisd it right off in the presence of hun- 
dreds of spectators. A few men of the right kind of 
grit would have ended their career then and there.” 

“True enough ; but who’s going to be the first one 
to court death?” asked Charlie. “I suspect that if 
we were not armed, we’d feel like getting out of the 
way, too.” 

“Well, boys, I sometimes think the inevitable end 
cannot be far off. The pitcher that goes so often to 
the well must be broken at last. We’ve been in many 
a scrape, but luck or some unseen power has always 
been on our side.” 

“Not always, Jesse. Think of the Iron Mountain 
train tragedy. You remember how hot the detec- 
tives were on our track, and how tough a fight we 
had with them at Osceola before we got away? 
There poor brother John lost his life, and Jim came 
near having to pass in his checks, too. We got even 
with them, however, as more than one of them bit 
the dust that day.” 

“You got off better at Gad’s Hill, though.” 

Bob smiled. 

“Oh, yes; we did well enough there.” 

“I reckon, too, that almost everything has hap- 
pened to me but death,” said Jesse. “I’ve been shot 
at, and hit as well as missed, and more than once 
have been left for dead, but that good angel of mine 
has always come to my rescue. How much longer 
will it stay with me?” 

At that moment a party of five entered the dining- 
room, and without a glance of recognition at the 
others, sat down to their meal. 

The trio arose and passed out on the porch where, 
after smoking and standing about for a time, they 
were joined by the other five. 

Their horses were now called for, and mounting 


194 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


them the party bade the innkeeper a good-day, and 
rode away. 

Down the highway they trotted leisurely until they 
reached the bridge under which the Cannon River 
flows, and here at a given signal the band broke 
into a gallop, and dashed along the principal street 
of the village until they reached the First Rational 
Bank, all the time shooting promiscuously, and 
shouting at such people as they met to withdraw 
into their houses. 

Alarmed at this wild and warlike demonstration, 
the inhabitants could scarcely do otherwise than 
comply with such peremptory orders, and conse- 
quently the robbers were not then interfered with ; 
but such a storm was brewing, the results of which, 
could they have been foreseen, would certainly have 
deterred even such reckless persons as they from at- 
tempting to carry out their bold purposes. 

Jesse, Bob and Charlie threw themselves from 
their horses, and entered the bank, while the rest 
remained seated, and by their continuous fusillade 
prevented the approach of any possible intruders. 

The trio jumped over the counter into the very 
presence of the astonished officials, who numbered 
three: Mr. Haywood, the cashier; his assistant, Mr. 
Bunker, and a clerk by the name of Wilcox. 

‘'Throw up your hands !” cried Jesse, flourishing 
his revolver. 

The looks of the men were so threatening that this 
command was obeyed. 

“What is the meaning of this?” said Mr. Hay- 
wood, sternly. 

“You will see,” was Jesse's reply, as Bob ap- 
proached the vault. 

At once the heroic cashier understood that the 
object of the outlaws was plunder, and, regardless 
of consequences, he leaped toward the vault into 
which Bob was just stepping, and attempted to close 
the door on him. 

He would have been successful had not Jesse, 
who for reasons of his own had chosen not to shoot 
the man, leaped up behind and struck him a cruel 
blow with the butt of his revolver. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


195 


Haywood fell, partially stunned, but in a few sec- 
onds was on his feet, prepared to do battle with the 
intended robbers. 

Two of them now seized him, and in spite of his 
vigorous resistance dragged him to the door of the 
vault. 

“Now,” cried Jesse, with an oath, “open the 
inner door!” 

“I will not,” was the intrepid answer. 

“You must!” 

“IT1 die first!” 

In an instant Jesse raised his revolver, and fired 
close to the cashier’s head, with the idea of intimi- 
dating him 

“Will you open it now?” 

“Never!” 

Bob drew a murderous looking knife from his 
pocket, and flashed it in front of the doomed man’s 
throat, but he never flinched, although the weapon 
did make a mark from which the blood oozed. 

“Don’t you know what you are inviting?” asked 
Jesse, beside himself with rage. 

“I cannot say; death, I suppose.” 

“You’re right. Now save yourself, or I’ll cut your 
throat from ear to ear.” 

“I can only die doing my duty.” 

At this moment Mr. Bunker, who, in company 
with the clerk, were being kept in subjection by a 
revolver in the hands of Pitts, seeing that he might, 
by creating a disturbance, direct attention from the 
cashier, who was in imminent danger of instant 
death, leaped from his place, and darted to the back 
door ; but just as he was disappearing, a bullet from 
Pitts’ weapon struck him in the leg. 

Heroically he dashed on, and escaped from the 
building. 

“For the last time will you open that door?” 
asked Jesse, in tones that fully intimated his inten- 
tions. 

“] cannot.” 

“You will not?” 

“I will not!” 

“Then die!” 


196 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


A shot rang through the building, and the brave 
cashier lay a victim to their untamable ferocity. 

“You’ve spoiled it all now,” Bob cried, as he 
gazed ruefully from the prostrate form to the inner 
door, the means of opening which had been forever 
lost to them. 

Jesse uttered a frightful oath. 

“Served him right for his stubbornness. Now let’s 
search for ourselves.” 

But only a small box half filled with nickels was 
all the booty they found, and in disgust Jesse poured 
its contents over Mr. Haywood’s corpse. 

“Hello, boys! do you hear that?” cried Charlie, 
suddenly. 

Bob and Jesse paused. 

“Our fellows are meeting with resistance. Let’s 
leave this place,” and without a word they all leaped 
over the counter, and ran out to the street. 

It was indeed time. 

The people had begun now to regain their senses 
and to provide means for repelling if not capturing 
the daring intruders. 

A young physician, Dr. Wheeler, whose office 
was in the second story of the building immediately 
opposite the bank, noticed the shooting and the un- 
usual excitement going on in the street below, and 
came to the window. 

As soon as he grasped the situation he seized an 
old shotgun that stood in his office. 

Taking deliberate aim, for he saw that the case 
was desperate, he fired at one of the bandits. Clell 
Miller gave a wild yell of agony, reeled in his sad- 
dle, and uttered the words : 

“Boys, I’m done for!” 

With this he fell face forward from his saddle, a 
fit expiation for the foul murder that had just been 
committed. 

Dr. Wheeler, giving expression to a smile of satis- 
faction at the success of his marksmanship, fired 
again, and Bill Chadwell, who had piloted the rob- 
bers in their travels through Minnesota, fell from 
his horse mortally wounded. 

Others were now gathering, fully armed and de- 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


197 


termined to wreak vengeance for such bold brigand- 
age. 

Another robber was wounded, but he was at once 
thrown across the horse of one of his comrades, and 
afterward carried away. 

Affairs were in this critical condition when the 
trio came to the door ; without the delay of an in- 
stant they were in their saddles. 

Eight robbers had entered that little town but a 
few minutes before, bent on an errand that was 
fraught with awful danger to innocent citizens as 
well as themselves ; two of their party were left be- 
hind in the cold embrace of death, and a like num- 
ber of the inhabitants of Northfield, mute witnesses 
of civilized man’s rapacity. 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 

FLIGHT OF THE OUTLAWS. 

For once the bandits had made a fatal mistake in 
their course of rapine and murder. 

In leaving the wilds of Missouri for the fields of 
Minnesota they were exchanging a perfect knowl- 
edge of the topography of one State for absolute 
ignorance of the other, and this was certainly an 
egregious blunder. 

The man who had been their chosen leader and 
knew every foot of ground in his own State lay 
dead in the streets of Northfield. 

They had looked to him for a safe pilotage, and 
now they were thrown upon their own resources. 

To make matters worse, the citizens of Northfield 
were fully aroused and bent on exterminating a 
band which had hitherto defied the efforts of detec- 
tives and civil authorities. 

When the six robbers rode out of the bereaved 
village, fifty men were armed and ready to pursue 
them to death; but by the time they were mounted 
on trusty horses, the band had secured considerable 
of a start. 

“Boys,” said Frank James, with a serious face, 


198 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“this is a critical situation for us to be in. What’s 
to be done?” 

“Safest, in my opinion, to separate,” said Jesse. 
“The whole country will be aroused now iir these 
days of the telegraph, and if we stay together we 
are more apt to be taken or killed than if each one 
took his own way, and sought the most out-of-the- 
way places. By that means we may be finally able 
to leave the State.” 

“I object to this,” put in Coleman Younger. 
“Here’s Jim, wounded almost to death, and I pro- 
pose to stay by him even if the others leave us. 
Besides, we’d best stay together and terrify any 
band that dares attack us. We’re as good as twenty 
men yet.” 

“That’s my opinion, too,” asseverated Bob. “Let’s 
try it another day, and if we are pressed too hard it 
will be time then to separate.” 

This was agreed to, and the party pushed on. 

In the meantime the news of the tragedy had 
spread with wonderful rapidity. 

There was excitement throughout the State. 

The Governor at once offered a reward of one 
thousand dollars for each of the robbers, or six 
thousand for all of them, and many a band with as- 
pirations for fame and fortune sought to capture 
the murderers. 

Besides, there was behind them constantly that 
terrible avenging party who thought not of reward, 
the party of Northfield men who had determined 
that their mission would end only when those ruth- 
less destroyers should cease to exist except in the 
annals of history. 

Under these circumstances, with a merciless 
enemy in their rear and unknown dangers on all 
sides, it was no wonder that they felt their situation 
to be a most serious one. 

All thought of taking Myra Ferry with them to be 
held for a ransom was rejected ; and they pushed 
on as fast as their horses could carry them, care- 
fully avoiding all places where they imagined news 
of their depredations had been received. 

Day and night they traveled with untiring zeal, 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


199 


now avoiding this village, now that, creeping away 
unseen from this party, boldly attacking that, now 
advancing, now retreating, but with wonderful skill 
working their way slowly forward. 

Jim Younger was bleeding profusely from his 
wounds, and his life was almost despaired of, but 
they deserted him not, though his blood served as a 
guiding trail to their pursuers. 

Finally they arrived at the village of Shieldsville, 
and not knowing whether the people were prepared 
to resist or capture them, with their characteristic 
recklessness they dashed through the one street, 
shouting like demons and firing in every direction. 
They finally disappeared in the distance before the 
astonished inhabitants knew what had happened. 

Onward they flew, urging their tired horses for- 
ward with such vehemence that at the end of a week 
the poor animals became useless to them, and were 
cast aside. 

They were now on foot and in the direst extrem- 
ity. 

Hunger pressed upon them sorely, for they had 
been forced often to subsist upon the herbs of the 
field. 

“This is awful, boys,” said Bob. “I can’t, for one, 
stand it any longer, so this farmhouse must serve as 
a commissary department, even if we are killed in 
the attempt to get a mouthful.” 

“Let’s avoid it,” said another, suspiciously; “there 
may be armed people concealed about the place.” 

“Hadn’t we as well die in that way, then, if die 
we must? I’d rather be killed with a bullet than be 
consumed with this terrible gnawing at my vitals.” 

With the words he started forward in the lead of 
the others. 

A w:>man was standing in the yard, and seemed 
somewhat alarmed at the approach of such a for- 
midable party. 

“My good woman,” said Bob, politely, “will you 
be so obliging as to sell us a chicken? i see you can 
well spare one.” 

In an instant thoughts of robbers entered the 


200 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


woman’s mind, and with a shriek of terror she fled 
into the house. 

Hardly had she disappeared when the door was 
thrown open, and two men stood on the threshold 
with leveled weapons. 

It was too late for the forlorn robbers to retreat, 
but they did the best they could, desiring to get 
away without any further bloodshed if possible. 

Two shots rang out on the still air, and the James 
boys staggered from the serious wounds they re- 
ceived. 

Willing hands seized them, however, and they 
were soon out of the range of the deadly weapons. 

For another day they pushed forward with 
weakened powers, and then a final consultation was 
held. 

“We’ve come to it at last, bovs,” said Jesse. 
“We must separate. We’ve tried to get away by 
sticking together, but we are about used up, and 
still in the most imminent danger of capture or 
death.” 

“What say you?” asked Coleman, looking about 
him questioningly. 

Net a dissenting voice was raised. 

They divided into two parties, the James boys 
taking one direction and the Younger boys with 
Charlie Pitts going in another. 

“Farewell, boys ; we’ll meet you in the sweet by 
and by!” cried one, whose heart and face belied 
his cheerful words. 

This good-by was indeed the last that the two par- 
ties ever addressed to each other. 

Each one hurried forward to the fate that was 
in store for him. 


CHAPTER XXXY. 

HOME AGAIN. 

Belton and his comrade were somewhat taken 
aback at the awkward dilemma which stared them 
in the face, but they had no misgivings as to the 
final result ; three determined men could not long 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


201 


be cowed by a single woman, no matter how much 
in earnest she might be. 

“Well,” said Belton, looking at Jake with a smile 
of the deepest unconcern, “your good wife seems to 
have the drop on us at present, if she doesn’t lose 
her grip.” 

Jake grinned. 

“You’d better skin out, or she’ll pull the trigger, 
sure.” 

“She isn’t so cruel as all that?” 

“You don’t know Miranda, I guess.” 

“No, but I hope to make her acquaintance 
shortly.” 

“You will, but it won’t be in a way that you’ll 
hanker for again.” 

“Nonsense! She and I will get along famously 
when we come to know each other better.” 

“Now, strangers,” cried the sharp-visaged Mi- 
randa, “air ye goin’ to stand all day there?” 

“My good female,” said Belton, blandly, “we are 
doing exactly what you told us a moment ago.” 

“Now, I tell you to move on.” 

Belton took a step in her direction. 

“This way, do you mean?” 

“No, clear out of hyer, or I’ll shoot!” she cried, 
fingering her weapon nervously. 

At this juncture she uttered a shriek of wild 
alarm, and”began struggling violently, for a pair of 
strong arms had suddenly been thrown about her, 
and a pair of iron hands grasped hers. 

The revolver fell to the ground, and was harm- 
lessly discharged, and before Jake knew what had 
taken place he was seized and in a trice was laid 
upon the earth, a pair of handcuffs encircling his 
wrists. 

“Well done, Howard,” said Belton, as he now 
hastened to Theo’s assistance, for it was indeed 
Theo, who, by creeping in quietly at the back of the 
house while the altercation was going on, had h'een 
able to take Miranda by surprise. 

“You’ve gotten us out of an awkward not to say 
dangerous predicament. She might have caused us 
a heap of trouble.” 


202 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“She has plenty ol muscle, ” rejoined the young 
man, as he helped to secure the panting and thor- 
oughly furious woman. 

“You must really pardon my abrupt entrance, ” 
he continued, addressing Miranda, “for the case 
was a very urgent one. Let me assure you that no 
harm or personal indignity is intended you, and as 
soon as our search has been completed you will be 
released, doubtless.” 

“What do you accuse us of, anyhow?” she de- 
manded. “Stealin’?” 

“Oh, no; worse than that. We want the young 
woman who is concealed here, and that with your 
knowledge.” 

“Find her, then,” she said, stubbornly, seeing that 
resistance to the inevitable would be the height of 
folly. 

“Watch the couple,” ordered Belton, “and I’ll see 
in a jiffy whether Miss Ferry is here or not.” 

He was inside of the house ere he had finished 
speaking, and had opened the door of an inner 
apartment, the one sleeping room of the dwelling. 

Here stood Myra, trembling with fear at the evi- 
dent disturbance outside, and expecting every mo- 
ment that an unfriendly face would appear at the 
door to summon her to a fate worse than that which 
had already overtaken her. 

When she beheld the eager and smiling counten- 
ance of Belton, her joy knew no bounds. 

“My best friend!” she cried. “How can I thank 
you for this deliverance and the hope of again meet- 
ing with my dear relatives?” 

“By not mentioning it,” was the answer, as the 
detective cut the rope that held her hands together. 

“Now, I’ll leave you here a while. I must go back 
to attend to a prisoner or two I have caught, and 
would like to have you remain here.” 

“Will you tell me where Mr. Howard is before 
you go?” she asked, with a blush. “I am very much 
afraid he was badly injured last night.” 

Belton smiled mysteriously. 

“When I saw him last he was quite well. The 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


203 


blow he received was not a serious one, and he soon 
recovered. But excuse me for a moment.” • 

Scarcely had he disappeared when the door was 
again darkened. 

Myra looked up quickly, and then gave utterance 
to a cry of joy that caused the two detectives to 
smile in very sympathy. 

“That’s enough to repay a man for a whole year 
of imprisonment,” remarked Jones. 

“I’ll warrant young Howard thinks so himself.” 

“My darling,” was Theo’s warm salutation, “I 
can now for the first time take you in my arms, and 
tell you how rejoiced I am to be reunited to you, 
never again, I hope, to be parted. All the troubles 
and deprivations to which I have been subjected 
during the past few weeks are more than com- 
pensated forTby the joy of this moment.” 

Myra hid her face on his shoulder, and uttered a 
prayer of thankfulness with the flow of happy 
tears that came from her eyes. 

“To Providence first,” she murmured; “and then 
to you and the dear friends who have risked so 
much for me.” 

“I have just learned how much I owe to you and 
your earnest belief that I was the victim of foul 
play. I can now understand how and why a 
woman’s love is so strong and undying,” stroking 
the beautiful head with a fondness that showed he 
was not far behind her in the love that should bind 
true hearts together. 

“Whatever sacrifice I made for you, whatever 
pangs I have suffered, were in your behalf; you 
were so much to me that I felt it almost impossible 
to live without you.” 

“Unworthy, unworthy!” muttered Theo, with 
downcast looks. 

But before he could proceed further a knock was 
heard at the door, and a voice from Belton suggest- 
ing that they should be on the move at once, on ac- 
count of a possible return of the outlaws ; with this 
hint they made hasty preparations for departure. 

“How many horses have you, Jake?” asked Bel- 
ton. 


204 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


“Haven’t none,” growled the farmer. 

“Oh, come, now ; don’t attempt to stuff us in that 
style. You can’t farm without horses. I’ll give you 
any reasonable sum if you’ll sell us what you’ve 
got.” 

“If I had any you’d steal ’em right before my 
eyes.” 

“Ho, I mean business with you, if you don’t prove 
stubborn.” 

Jake still looked somewhat doubtful, but Belton 
finally convinced him that he was really in earnest, 
and so they at last struck a bargain. 

He was to sell his entire stock, which consisted of 
three horses, to the party for the sum of four hun- 
dred dollars, and on being released for the purpose, 
he called the animals in from the pasture, and pre- 
pared them for the journey. 

Tlieo then counted out the money and passed it 
over to the old fellow, who pocketed it with ^ satis- 
faction that clearly showed how fortunate he con- 
sidered himself in getting off so easily. 

With a friendly warning to the couple, Belton 
rode off in the lead, followed in turn by Jones, who 
was seated on a nag that showed a disposition every 
few moments to lie down and rest, while Theo and 
Myra brought up the rear on the third horse, which 
objected decidedly to carrying double; but the lit- 
tle party got on famously, and in spite of some few 
difficulties which were from the necessities of the 
case forced upon them, they found it infinitely pre- 
ferable to walking. 

They stopped over night at a farmhouse, and 
early next day reached the city, tired out, but re- 
joiced to find that their present troubles were over. 

Theo embraced the earliest opportunity of mak- 
ing a confession to Myra of all his misdeeds com- 
mitted during the past six months, taking particu- 
lar pains not to smooth anything over ; and it may 
be assumed as granted that she gave him a full par- 
don in view of the circumstances under which he 
had been placed and the peculiar temptations to 
which he had been subjected. 

The joy of Myra’s parents at the appearance of 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


205 


their lost daughter cannot be described, but the 
wonderful experience of Theo was the subject of 
conversation throughout the town for many a day, 
and congratulations poured in upon him on account 
not only of his lucky escape from the perils which 
had surrounded him, but also of the good fortune 
which had befallen him in spite of the plot to 
deprive him of it. 

Dr. Hinds, who for days had been quaking in his 
boots at the probable consequences of his impru- 
dence in trusting so implicitly in strangers, no mat- 
ter how honest their looks, was called upon to felici- 
tate himself on the receipt of the news that the 
money left by Samuel Howard had finally reached 
the proper heir without the loss of a cent, and he 
was still more pleased a few days later to become 
the recipient of a check for a thousand dollars as a 
reward for his share of the work in discovering 
Theo, and providing for the settling of the money. 

Three months later Theo and Myra were married, 
and the intervening years that have passed over 
their heads have fully demonstrated the wisdom of 
Myra’s choice; for her husband has risen rapidly 
from one position to another, until the citizens of 
his town look upon him as one of their most gener- 
ous, influential, and honorable men. 

Irene suffered the penalty of her misdeeds, and 
the wonderful beauty which had once been hers is 
gone forever. Should you wish to find her, go among 
the slums of the city, for she has indeed fallen low. 

And now we leave these characters to gather up 
the last threads of our story, the last scenes in a 
life, which, though possessed of superior ability, 
had in it too many of the elements of evil to allow 
that ability to be manifested on the side of justice, 
honor and morality. 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 

CAPTURED AT LAST. 

Onward the dreary qaurtet pushed, weighed down 
by hunger, weakened by wounds, and discouraged 


206 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


by the untiring Nemesis that was pursuing them in 
the shape of stern and pitiless and bereaved men. 

Turn where they might these determined foes 
stared them in the face, ready in a moment of for- 
getfulness to pounce upon and annihilate them. 

Hardly dared they sleep lest the morning’s sun 
should find them in the damp, cold embrace of the 
final destroyer ; scarcely dared they come from out 
their cover into the glare of day lest the weapon of 
an avenger should select them for its victim. 

Thus they crept from bush to bush, from tree to 
tree, now scudding across an open field, now crouch- 
ing in a ditch as they caught sight of a human being. 

Despairing, they fought against despair, starving 
to death, they bravely walked upright, though 
their stomachs were empty. 

The courage that had led them safely through 
many a scene of carnage and blood did not desert 
them in this their direst extremity. 

They knew that defeat, was inevitable, but the 
blood of the ferocious tiger ran in their veins ; they 
would give up when they could no longer stand. 

They looked into each other’s weary eyes, but not 
one read a sign of surrender there ; they took hold 
of each other's hands; they whispered words of en- 
couragement one to the other, but in the counte- 
nances of all was depicted the indubitable result. 

And now they had taken their last stand. 

Advance was impossible ; retreat was out of the 
question, and they dumbly stood waiting for the 
final attack. 

It came with the force of a hurricane. 

Fifty men against four. 

Half a hundred fresh human beings, flushed with 
certain victory and sure vengeance, against a quar- 
tet of almost dying men. 

Their last shots were being fired as they slowly 
retreated from the leaden hail out into the open 
prairie, but they stood shoulder to shoulder, deter- 
mined to live or die together. 

Suddenly Jim Younger uttered a cry of anguish, 
staggered and fell. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


207 


He had. been struck in the face by a ball and se- 
riously though not fatally wounded. 

The others had no time to stanch the flow of 
blood, for the enemy was almost upon them. 

A few moments later Charlie Pitts threw up his 
hands with a cry of such agony as told the survivors 
that he had met his death blow. 

The end had come ; the two remaining brothers, 
badly wounded, but fighting still, were overpowered, 
and the victorious avengers carried them with Jim 
off the field. 

The survivors had expected instant death, though 
they received it not. 

They were removed to a neighboring town, where 
they were thrown into prison, and for three months 
they lay there suffering in body from the terrible 
wounds they had received in their last flight from 
justice, as well, perhaps, as enduring the pangs of 
an awakened conscience. 

At the end of this time they were taken before 
the court of Rice County to be tried for the crimes 
which had been committed in that State. 

Death, though averted for a time, gaped at them 
in a more horrible form. 

They had not flinched from his grasp in the heat 
of battle, when the blood of excitement coursed 
through their veins and words of execration and 
vengeance rose to their lips ; but death at the end of 
a rope ; ah, that was a different thing ! 

A lawyer who had been engaged to defend the 
boys paid them a visit. 

4 ‘You are in a most critical situation, gentlemen/ ’ 

“We know it.” 

“They’ll hang you if it ever comes to a trial.” 

“We’ll have to hang, then.” 

“That would be foolish when you can escape such 
a fate.” 

“Is escape possible?” 

“Certainlv. Nothing easier.” 

“Give us the means, and we will get out of this 
place quickly enough.” 

“Well, now, you are taking too much for granted. 


208 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


I can only promise you escape from death by hang- 
ing.” 

“How is that?” 

“By pleading guilty to the crimes you have com- 
mitted.” 

“Never!” 

“It is a matter of life and death with you ; and 
when a man is in such a situation he need not be at 
all delicate regarding the means of escape, so that 
it becomes an accomplished fact.” 

“Will that secure our point?” 

“Certainly. The State law of Minnesota is such 
that if a murderer pleads guilty the death penalty 
cannot be inflicted, but imprisonment for life is sub- 
stituted as the punishment. Now, should you re- 
fuse to follow my advice you will surely be con- 
victed, and the consequent penalty ensues. Should 
imprisonment be the sentence it would not surprise 
me much to find that a few years’ exemplary life in 
the penitentiary would enable you to pass out from 
its walls free men. Be guided by my advice.” 

It was a bitter struggle with pride and passion ar- 
ranged against the better judgment of the felons, 
but judgment won the day, and when the lawyer 
left it was with the understanding that his clients 
should throw themselves upon the clemency of the 
court by a full confession. 

This was done, and one day the iron doors of the 
gloomy penitentiary at Stillwater opened to receive 
them into its dark and fearful abode, a life of si- 
lence to atone in part for a life of ceaseless and 
murderous activity. 

Has the atonement been ample? 

Has justice been satisfied? 

Does the blood of the slain still cry to Heaven for 
vengeance? 

Who can answer that question? 

Man has done what as a community of civilized 
society he thought sufficient. The expiation is not 
yet complete; two brothers are still paying the 
penalty of their crimes — the third? Alas! death 
comes to all sooner or later. 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


209 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 

BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


The 16th of September, 1889. 

A life slowly ebbing away. 

A soul striving to break from its tenement of 
clay. 

A criminal paying his final earthly penalty. 

Bob Younger has been in prison for thirteen 
years, how long, how dark, how dreary, no one but 
Bob Younger knows. 


A young man when he entered, full of life and 
health and vigor, now prematurely old, emaciated 
by the dread disease consumption, and certain that 
he has not many hours, possibly not many minutes 
to live. 

During all this time he has been a model prisoner, 
performing his work faithfully, and proving most 
docile under the care of the prison officials. 

He has won the good will of the warden, who is 
with him in his last moments, and the two brothers 
who stood beside him in the heat of battle, plotted 
with him in the silence of mountain and prairie fast- 
nesses against their fellows, shared hunger and pri- 
vation, wealth and prosperity with him, roystered v 
together in glorious victory, fell together in bitter 
defeat, are here to cheer him with what words of 
comfort they can bring to their sorrowful lips from 
out their sorrowing hearts. 

The sister, who, mayhap, has wept many a time 
over his dreadful misdeeds, or, who knows, even 
gloried in his fiery spirit and warlike prowess, is 
here to close his eyes after their last look upon the 
world which he has wronged so grievously. 

These thirteen lonely years have proved, to the 
credit of the dying jail-bird, a most wonderful con- 
trast to the years of violence that had gone to make 
up the record of ;his preyious life. 


210 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


During seven years of this time he has devoted 
much of his leisure to the study of medicine, which 
he took up systematically and thoroughly, reading 
text-books and subscribing for periodicals on the 
subject. 

Many an hour that should have been given to rest 
of bodily and mental powers has been applied to a 
course of study which he could hardly hope to put 
in practice. 

It is true that his friends have made many vigor- 
ous and determined efforts to secure his release from 
prison, a largely-signed petition having been sent to 
the Governor of the State with that object in view; 
and Bob’s efforts to educate himself may have been 
with the ultimate idea of putting his acquired 
knowledge into practical operation should he be 
pardoned; but fortunately or not for him, fortu- 
nately or not for the world, the pardon never came. 

The Governor in his wisdom saw fit to disregard 
the petition, and as an example to all evil doers we 
would commend him for his firmness and sense of 
right. If the administrators of law in all our States 
were thus firm in performing the functions of their 
office without fear or favor, there would be fewer 
criminals and fewer crimes. 

When the news of the Governor’s refusal to inter- 
fere came, with a resignation that was wonderful 
he laid aside all hope of life, all hope of being able 
to walk the green earth again a free man. 

Perhaps the knowledge that he had not long to 
live may have solaced his last hours, and taken off 
the keen edge of grief at being forced to die in the 
prison cell. 

The way of the transgressor is indeed hard. 

A year before his death Bob’s health began to fail, 
and a listlessness that bad heretofore been foreign 
to him ensued. 

It was not long until it became painfully evident 
both to him and his friends that he was within the 
grasp of that foe to which so many fall victims, 
consumption. 

When it was seen that human remedies could only 


BOB YOUNGEK’S FATE. 211 

alleviate his pain without being able to prolong his 
life, he was urged to enter the hospital. 

He at first refused, but the entreaties of his friends 
finally prevailed, and there he received the best of 
attention. 

On this the evening of his last day on earth it 
seems that he realized how near grim death was to 
him. His physical powers began to droop, and he 
felt the chill of final dissolution approach with rapid 
tread. 

His sister and his two brothers had been with him, 
but now, as six o’clock came, they arose to leave. 

“Don’t go,” he said, weakly; “I have not more 
than four hours to live, and I want to have you with 
me until the last.” 

And they, though scarcely believing that he was 
so soon to die, remained. 

From that moment they could plainly see that his 
strength was failing rapidly, his breathing less dis- 
tinct, his features more plainly marked with the 
grim monster’s touch. 

As the hour of nine approached deputy warden 
Westby entered the room, and Bob, who had been the 
recipient of many a deed of kindness at his hands, 
gave him a welcoming glance from his failing eyes. 

“Stay with me till the end,” he whispered, feebly. 
“It will not be more than an hour now.” 

The deputy nodded acquiescence, and stepped 
aside, so that the dying man’s relatives might be 
nearest him in his last moments ; but Bob was so dis- 
satisfied with this, that the official was obliged to 
change his position in order that the felon might 
have him continually in sight. 

Thus the minutes dragged by, the silence broken 
only by an occasional sob from the grief-stricken 
sister, or a faint whisper from the dying man who 
seemed to be preternaturally conscious when disso- 
lution would take place. 

Little by little the light waned from out his eyes ; 
little by little the breath left his body and less re- 
turned ; little by little his life ebbed away, until a 
few minutes before ten, he passed quietly from 


212 


BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. 


earthly scenes as if he had fallen into a calm slum- 
ber. 

With scalding tears the sister arose and closed 
the dead eyes of him who might have been much to 
the world in the best sense. 

The same faithful sister a few days later accom- 
panied his remains to their last resting-place in 
Missouri, the State which had suffered most from 
his depredations. 

And there we leave him, a sad monument to evil 
doing, a solemn warning to evil doers. He will long 
remain a prominent figure in the history of his na- 
tive State, but not one to whom his fellow citizens 
can point with pride as having lived for his fellow 
men. 

The most pitiable of all earthly things is a mis- 
spent life; yet perhaps the sorrowful fate of one 
man may have accomplished its mission if it serves 
as a guide-post to direct the wavering youth in the 
path of honesty and moral rectitude. 

(the end.) 


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Stevens and Robertson ; Presidents Mark Hopkins , 
Dudley and Hamilton; Professors Parker, Draper and 
Beard ; by Bismarck and thousands of the world's best 
brain-workers. ’ 


“ It is a vital nutrient Phosphite, not an inert acid Phosphate.” , 

"‘Everyone speaks well of Vitalized Phosphztes.’^ 

Christian at Work. 















































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